Lens driving device, and camera module and optical device including same

ABSTRACT

An embodiment comprises: a base which comprises a body and a first column part, a second column part, a third column part, and a fourth column part arranged at corner parts of the body, respectively; a bobbin disposed on the body; a first roller part disposed in a first groove provided on the first column part; a second roller part disposed in a second groove provided on the second column part adjacent to the first column part; a magnet disposed on the bobbin; and a coil corresponding to the magnet and disposed between the first and the second column part, wherein the first roller part contacts at least two areas of the first groove, the second roller part contacts at least two areas of the second groove, the first groove comprises a first opening through which a part of the first roller part is exposed, the second groove comprises a second opening through which a part of the second roller part is exposed, and the bobbin comprises a first support part disposed in the first opening and contacting the first roller part and a second support part disposed in the second opening and contacting the second roller part.An embodiment comprises: a base which comprises a body and a first column part, a second column part, a third column part, and a fourth column part arranged at corner parts of the body, respectively; a bobbin disposed on the body; a first roller part disposed in a first groove provided on the first column part; a second roller part disposed in a second groove provided on the second column part adjacent to the first column part; a magnet disposed on the bobbin; and a coil corresponding to the magnet and disposed between the first and the second column part, wherein the first roller part contacts at least two areas of the first groove, the second roller part contacts at least two areas of the second groove, the first groove comprises a first opening through which a part of the first roller part is exposed, the second groove comprises a second opening through which a part of the second roller part is exposed, and the bobbin comprises a first support part disposed in the first opening and contacting the first roller part and a second support part disposed in the second opening and contacting the second roller part.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to a lens moving apparatus and to a camera module andan optical device each including the same.

BACKGROUND ART

It is difficult to apply technology of a voice coil motor (VCM) used inexisting general camera modules to a subminiature, low-power cameramodule, and therefore research related thereto has been activelyconducted.

Demand for and production of electronic products, such as smartphonesand mobile phones equipped with cameras have increased. A camera formobile phones is on a trend of increased resolution and miniaturization.As a result, an actuator has also been miniaturized, increased indiameter, and been made multifunctional. In order to realize ahigh-resolution camera for mobile phones, improvement in performance ofthe camera for mobile phones and additional functions thereof, such asautofocus, handshake correction, and zooming, are required.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

Embodiments provide a lens moving apparatus capable of improving thespeed of AF operation, of suppressing the movement of a bobbin during AFoperation and of increasing a range of possible sizes of a magnet and acoil, and a camera module and an optical device each including the same.

Furthermore, the embodiments provide a novel lens moving apparatusconfigured to guide the bobbin in the optical-axis direction by means ofa roller in place of a leaf spring, and a camera module and an opticaldevice each including the same.

Technical Solution

A lens moving apparatus according to a first embodiment comprises a baseincluding a body and a first post, a second post, a third post and afourth post disposed at corner portions of the body, a bobbin disposedon the body, a first roller unit disposed in a first groove formed inthe first post, a second roller unit disposed in a second groove formedin the second post adjacent to the first post, a magnet disposed at thebobbin, and a coil disposed between the first post and the second postso as to correspond to the magnet, wherein the first roller unit is incontact with at least two regions of the first groove, and the secondroller unit is in contact with at least two regions of the secondgroove, wherein the first groove comprises a first opening, throughwhich a portion of the first roller unit is exposed, and the secondgroove comprises a second opening, through which a portion of the secondroller unit is exposed, and wherein the bobbin comprises a first supportdisposed in the first opening so as to be in contact with the firstroller, and a second support disposed in the second opening so as to bein contact with the second roller.

The first support may project from an outer surface of the bobbin, andthe second support may project from the outer surface of the bobbin. Thefirst roller unit may be in contact with four regions of the firstgroove, and the second roller unit may be in contact with four regionsof the second groove.

The lens moving apparatus according to the first embodiment may furthercomprise a circuit board, which is secured to the base and to which thecoil is coupled, the circuit board being secured to the first post andthe second post.

The circuit board may comprise a terminal conductively connected to thecoil, the terminal including a first terminal and a second terminal andbeing disposed at the body.

The lens moving apparatus according to the first embodiment may furthercomprise a magnetic body disposed at the base under the coil so as togenerate attractive force in cooperation with the magnet. The magneticbody may be disposed on the outer surface of the base. The magnetic bodymay comprise a plate disposed on the outer surface of the body of thebase, a first extension disposed on the outer surface of the first postand extending upwards from the plate, and a second extension disposed onthe outer surface of the second post and extending upwards from theplate.

Each of the first roller unit and the second roller unit may comprise aplurality of rollers, each of the plurality of rollers having acylindrical shape. Each of the first roller unit and the second rollerunit may be disposed so as to be rotatable about an axis perpendicularto an optical axis.

The ratio of the diameter and the longitudinal length of each of theplurality of rollers may be 1:1.5˜1:5. The bobbin may comprise first tofourth projections disposed at the side surface thereof, and the magnetmay be disposed in a mounting recess formed in the first projection, thefirst projection being disposed between the first post and the secondpost, the second projection being disposed between the second post andthe third post, the third projection being disposed between the thirdpost and the fourth post and the fourth projection being disposedbetween the fourth post and the first post.

The first roller unit may be disposed so as to be inclined at a firstangle with respect to a first reference line, and the second roller unitmay be disposed so as to be inclined at a second angle with respect tothe first reference line. The first reference line may be an imaginaryline parallel to a direction toward the second post from the first post,and the first angle may be different from the second angle.

The angle between the central axis of the roller and the first referenceline may be 30°˜60°, the central axis may be an axis that extendsthrough the diametric center of the roller and is parallel to thelongitudinal direction of the roller, and the roller may be rotatableabout the central axis.

The lens moving apparatus may further comprise lubricant disposed in thefirst groove and the second groove, and the lubricant may be in contactwith the first groove and the first roller unit and may be in contactwith the second groove and the second roller unit.

A lens moving apparatus according to a second embodiment comprises abase including a body, and a first post and a second post adjacent tothe first post, the first and second posts being respectively disposedat corners of the body, a bobbin disposed on the body, a first rollerunit disposed in a first groove formed in the first post, a secondroller unit disposed in a second groove formed in the second post, amagnet disposed at the bobbin, a substrate secured to the base, a coilcoupled to the substrate so as to face the magnet, and a magnetic bodydisposed at the base under the coil so as to generate attractive forcein cooperation with the magnet, wherein the first roller unit is incontact with the first post and the bobbin, and the second roller unitis in contact with the second post and the bobbin.

A lens moving apparatus according to a third embodiment comprises a baseincluding a body and a first post, a second post, a third post and afourth post, which are disposed at corner portion of the body, a bobbindisposed on the body, a magnet disposed on a first side surface of thebobbin, a first roller unit disposed in a first groove formed in asecond side surface of the bobbin, a second roller unit disposed in asecond groove formed in a third side surface of the bobbin, and a coildisposed between the first post and the second post so as to correspondto the magnet, wherein the first side surface of the bobbin is disposedbetween the second side surface and the third side surface, wherein thefirst roller unit is in contact with at least two regions of the firstgroove and the second roller unit is in contact with at least tworegions of the second groove, wherein the first groove comprises a firstopening, through which a portion of the first roller unit is exposed,and the second groove comprises a second opening, through which aportion of the second roller unit is exposed, and wherein the basecomprises a first support disposed in the first opening so as to be incontact with the first roller unit and a second support disposed in thesecond opening so as to be in contact with the second roller unit.

The first support may project from the inner surface of the first post,and the second support may project from the inner surface of the secondpost.

The first roller unit may be in contact with four regions of the firstgroove, and the second roller unit may be in contact with four regionsof the second groove.

A lens moving apparatus according to a third embodiment may furthercomprise a circuit board, which is secured to the base and to which thecoil is coupled, and the circuit board may be secured to the first postand to the second post.

The circuit board may comprise a terminal conductively connected to thecoil, and the terminal may comprise a first terminal and a secondterminal, and may be disposed at the body of the base.

The lens moving apparatus according to the third embodiment may furthercomprise a magnetic body disposed at the base under the coil so as togenerate attractive force in cooperation with the magnet. The magneticbody may be disposed on the outer surface of the base. The magnetic bodymay comprise a plate disposed on the outer surface of the body, a firstextension disposed on the outer surface of the first post and extendingupwards from the plate, and a second extension disposed on the outersurface of the second post and extending upwards from the plate.

Each of the first roller unit and the second roller unit may comprise aplurality of rollers, and each of the rollers may have a cylindricalshape and may be disposed so as to be rotatable about an axisperpendicular to the optical axis. The first roller unit may be disposedso as to be inclined at a first angle with respect to a first referenceline, and the second roller unit may be disposed so as to be inclined ata second angle with respect to the first reference line. The firstreference line may be an imaginary line parallel to a direction towardthe second post from the first post, and the first angle and the secondangle may be different from each other.

The lens moving apparatus according to the third embodiment may furthercomprise a roller cover disposed at the upper portion, the upper end orthe upper surface of the bobbin so as to prevent the first roller unitand the second roller unit from being separated from the first grooveand the second groove.

A lens moving apparatus according to a fourth embodiment comprises ahousing including a base, and a first post, a second post, a third postand a fourth post, which are respectively disposed at the four cornersof the base and project upwards from the base, a bobbin disposed in thehousing, a coil disposed at the housing such that at least a portionthereof is exposed to the inside of the housing through the spacebetween the first post and the second post, a magnet disposed at thebobbin so as to face the coil exposed through the space between thefirst post and the second post, and a roller disposed at the housing andpositioned between the third post and the fourth post so as to be incontact with the bobbin, wherein the coil and the roller face each otherwith the bobbin interposed therebetween, and the roller is disposed soas to be rotated about an axis extending toward the fourth post from thethird post.

The lens moving apparatus according to the fourth embodiment may furthercomprise a terminal positioned between the housing and the coil andconductively connected to the coil, the terminal including a magneticmaterial such that attractive force acts between the terminal and themagnet.

The magnet may comprise a first magnet disposed at the bobbin so as toface the coil, a second magnet disposed at the bobbin so as to face theroller, and a third magnet disposed at the housing and positionedbetween the third post and the fourth post, wherein attractive forceacts between the second magnet and the third magnet.

The roller may be disposed between the second magnet and the thirdmagnet.

The coil may comprise a first coil portion extending toward the secondpost from the first post, a second coil portion positioned under thefirst coil and extending toward the first post from the second post, athird coil portion connecting one end of the first coil portion to oneend of the second coil portion, and a fourth coil portion connecting theother end of the first coil portion to the other end of the second coilportion, wherein the magnet may comprise a first magnet portion facingthe first coil portion and a second magnet portion facing the secondcoil portion, and wherein orientations of polarities of the first magnetportion and the second magnet portion may be different from each other.

The housing may comprise a first connector connecting the first post tothe second post, a second connector connecting the first post to thesecond post and positioned under the first connector, a first side wallconnecting the second post to the third post, a second side wallconnecting the third post to the fourth post, and a third side wallconnecting the fourth post to the first post, the coil may be positionedbetween the first connector and the second connector, and the roller maybe positioned inside the second side wall.

The housing may further comprise a first contact and a second contact,which project toward the roller from the second side wall so as to be incontact with the roller.

The housing may further comprise a first shield wall positioned insidethe second side wall and projecting toward the fourth post from thethird post, and a second shield wall positioned inside the second sidewall and projecting toward the third post from the fourth post, and oneend of the roller may be positioned between the first contact and thefirst shield wall so as to be in contact with one surface of the firstshield wall, and the other end of the roller may be positioned betweenthe second contact and the second shield wall so as to be in contactwith one surface of the second shield wall.

The bobbin may comprise a third contact and a fourth contact, whichproject toward the roller from the surfaces that face the second sidewall so as to be in contact with the roller.

A lens moving apparatus according to a fifth embodiment comprises ahousing including a base, and a first post, a second post, a third postand a fourth post, which are respectively disposed at the four cornersof the base and project upwards from the base, a lens module positionedinside the housing, a lens module disposed inside the bobbin, asubstrate disposed under the base, an image sensor disposed at thesubstrate and positioned so as to face the lens module, a coil disposedat the housing such that at least a portion thereof is exposed to theinside of the housing through the space between the first post and thesecond post, a magnet disposed at the bobbin so as to face the coilexposed through the space between the first post and the second post,and a roller disposed at the housing between the third post and thefourth post so as to be in contact with the bobbin, wherein the coil andthe roller face each other with the bobbin interposed therebetween, andthe roller comprise a curved surface disposed so as to be rotated aboutan axis extending toward the fourth post from the third post.

An optical device according to an embodiment comprises a body, a displayunit positioned at one side of the body, a housing, which is disposedinside the body and which comprises a base and first to fourth postsrespectively disposed at the four corners of the base and projectingupwards from the base, a bobbin positioned inside the housing, a lensmodule disposed inside the bobbin, a substrate disposed under the baseand conductively connected to the display unit, an image sensor disposedat the substrate and positioned so as to face the lens module, a coildisposed at the housing such that at least a portion thereof is exposedto the inside of the housing through the space between the first postand the second post, a magnet disposed at the bobbin so as to face thecoil, and a roller disposed at the housing and positioned between thethird post and the fourth post so as to be in contact with the bobbin,wherein the coil and the roller face each other with the bobbininterposed therebetween, and the roller comprise a curved surfacedisposed so as to be rotated about an axis extending toward the fourthpost from the third post.

Advantageous Effects

Embodiments are capable of improving the speed of AF operation, ofsuppressing movement of a bobbin during AF operation, and of increasingthe range of possible sizes of a magnet and a coil.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lens moving apparatusaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bobbin and a magnet shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a first perspective view of a base shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a second perspective view of the base shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the base, first and secondroller units, a magnetic body, a coil and a circuit board, which areshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view formed in a first post;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the roller shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the lens moving apparatus, from which a covermember is removed;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lens moving apparatus shown inFIG. 7, taken along line A-B;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the lens moving apparatus shown inFIG. 7, taken along line C-D;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of the cross section of FIG. 7, takenalong line C-D;

FIG. 12 illustrates a location sensor, which is additionally provided inthe lens moving apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment including thelocation sensor shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14A is a fragmentary perspective view of a base according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 14B is a fragmentary perspective view of a base according to afurther embodiment;

FIG. 14C is a fragmentary perspective view of a base according to afurther embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a bobbin according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a base according to another embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an assembled perspective view of the bobbin shown in FIG. 15and the base shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the bobbin shown in FIG. 15, the baseshown in FIG. 16, the first and second roller units, the first coil andthe circuit board;

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a lens moving apparatusaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a bobbin and a magnet shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of first and second grooves in the bobbinand first and second roller units, shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a first perspective view of the base shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a second perspective view of the base shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the lens moving apparatus, from which a covermember is removed;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the lens moving apparatus shown inFIG. 24, taken along line A-B;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the lens moving apparatus shown inFIG. 24, taken along line C-D;

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary enlarged view of FIG. 24;

FIG. 28 illustrates a location sensor, which is additionally provided inthe lens moving apparatus;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment including thelocation sensor shown in FIG. 28;

FIGS. 30A to 30C are fragmentary perspective views of other embodimentsof the bobbin;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a lens moving apparatus according to afurther embodiment;

FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective of the lens moving apparatus shown inFIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the lens moving apparatus shown inFIG. 31, taken along line A-A′;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the lens moving apparatus shown inFIG. 31, taken along line B-B′;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the housing, the coil, the roller, theshield member and the base, which are shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the housing, the coil, the roller, theshield member and the terminal, which are shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the bobbin shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the bobbin, the first magnet and thesecond magnet, which are shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 39 is a plan view of the lens moving apparatus shown in FIG. 32 inwhich the roller is in contact with the base of the housing;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a lens moving apparatus according to afurther embodiment, from which a cover is removed;

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to anembodiment based on the view of FIG. 33;

FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a camera moduleaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a portable terminal according to anembodiment; and

FIG. 44 is a view illustrating the configuration of the portableterminal illustrated in FIG. 43.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention capable of concretelyachieving the above objects will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

In the following description of the embodiments, it will be understoodthat, when an element is referred to as being formed “on” or “under”another element, it can be directly “on” or “under” the other element,or can be indirectly disposed, with one or more intervening elementstherebetween. In addition, it will also be understood that “on” or“under” the element may mean an upward direction or a downward directionbased on the element.

In addition, relative terms such as, for example, “first”, “second”,“on/upper/above” and “beneath/lower/under”, used in the followingdescription may be used to distinguish any one substance or element fromanother substance or element without requiring or implying any physicalor logical relationship or sequence between these substances orelements. The same reference numeral designates the same elementthroughout all of the drawings.

Unless otherwise defined, the terms “comprise,” “include” or “have” usedin the above description are used to designate the presence of features,steps or combinations thereof described in the specification, and shouldbe understood so as not to exclude the presence or probability ofadditional inclusion of one or more different features, steps orcombinations thereof.

Hereinafter, lens moving apparatuses according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. For the convenience of description, although the lens movingapparatus is described using a rectangular coordinate system (x, y, z),the lens moving apparatus may be described using some other coordinatesystems, and the embodiments are not limited with regard thereto. In therespective drawings, the X-axis and the Y-axis mean directionsperpendicular to an optical axis, i.e. the Z-axis, and the optical-axisOA direction or a direction parallel to the optical axis OA may bereferred to as a “first direction”, the X-axis direction may be referredto as a “second direction”, and the Y-axis direction may be referred toas a “third direction”.

The term “optical-axis direction” may be defined as the optical-axisdirection of a lens module, which is in the state in which it is coupledto the lens moving apparatus. Here, the term “optical-axis direction”may also be used to indicate the up-and-down direction or the verticaldirection.

An “auto-focusing device”, which is applied to a subminiature cameramodule of a mobile device such as, for example, a smart phone or atablet PC, is a device that automatically focuses an image of a subjecton an image sensor surface. The auto-focusing device may be configuredin various ways, and the lens moving apparatus according to anembodiment may move an optical module, which is constituted of at leastone lens, in the first direction, so as to perform auto-focusing.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a lens moving apparatus 100according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the lens moving apparatus 100 may include a covermember 300, a bobbin 110, a coil 120, magnet 130, a first roller unit150, a second roller unit 160, a circuit board 190, a magnetic body 195and a base 210.

The cover member 300 will first be described.

The cover member 300 accommodates the components 110, 120, 130, 150,160, 190 and 195, in the space defined between the cover member 300 andthe base 210.

The cover member 300 may take the form of a box that has an open bottomand includes a top plate and side plates. The lower ends of the sideplates of the cover member 300 may be coupled to the base 210. The topplate of the cover member 300 may have a polygonal shape, for example, asquare or octagonal shape.

The cover member 300 may be provided in the upper plate thereof with anopening, through which the lens unit 400 coupled to the bobbin 110 isexposed to external light.

For example, the cover member 300 may be made of a non-magnetic metal orplastic material, such as SUS, aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), tin (Sn), orplatinum. Because a cover member 300 made of the non-magnetic materialis used, the embodiment is capable of preventing a phenomenon in whichthe magnet 130 and/or the magnetic body 195 attract the cover member330.

Adhesive injection recesses 332 may be provided in the lower end of atleast one of the side plates of the cover member 300.

The lower end of one of the side plates of the cover member 300 may haveformed therein a groove 1334, through which terminals 1091 and 1092 ofthe circuit board 1190 are exposed.

Next, the bobbin 110 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bobbin 110 and the magnet 130 shownin FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the bobbin 110 may be positioned inside posts 216 ato 216 d of the base 210, and may be moved in the first direction (forexample, in the Z-axis direction) by the electromagnetic interactionbetween the coil 120 and the magnet 130. For example, the bobbin 110 maybe moved in one direction, for example, in an upward direction from theinitial position of the bobbin 110.

The bobbin 110 may have an opening 101 in which the lens or the lensbarrel is mounted.

The shape of the opening 101 in the bobbin 110 may correspond to theshape of the lens and the lens barrel mounted in the bobbin. Forexample, the shape of the opening may be circular, oval, or polygonal.However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The bobbin 110 may include at least one stopper 111 disposed on theupper surface thereof.

The stopper 111 of the bobbin 110 may be a structure that projects inthe first direction or in an upward direction from the upper surface ofthe bobbin 110, and may prevent the upper surface of the bobbin 110 fromdirectly colliding with the inner surface of the top plate of the covermember 300.

The bobbin 110 may include a mounting recess 102 formed in the outersurface thereof, in which the magnets 130 are mounted. For example, themounting recess 102 may be a structure that is depressed from the outersurface of the bobbin 110 and is open at the lower portion thereof.

The bobbin 110 may include side surfaces 110 c-1 to 110 c-4, a sidesurface between the side surface 110 c-1 and the side surface 110 c-2, aside surface 110 b-2 between the side surface 110 c-2 and the sidesurface 110 c-3, a side surface 110 b-3 between the side surface 110 c-3and the side surface 110 c-4, and a side surface 110 b-4 between theside surface 110 c-4 and the side surface 110 c-1.

The side surfaces 110 c-1 to 110 c-4 of the bobbin 110 may correspond tothe posts 216 a to 216 d of the base 210, and the side surfaces 110 b-1to 110 b-4 of the bobbin 110 may respectively correspond to the spacesbetween the posts 216 a to 216 d of the base 210.

The bobbin 110 may include projections 118 a to 118 d projecting fromthe outer surface thereof. For example, the outer surfaces of theprojections 118 a to 119 d may be the side surfaces 110 b-1 to 110 b-4of the bobbin 110.

The mounting recess 102 may be formed in the side surface of the firstprojection 118 a, and may have a shape identical to or coinciding withthat of the magnet 130.

The bobbin 110 may include a first support provided at the side surface110 c-1 and a second support 116 b provided at the side surface 110 c-2.

For example, the first support 116 a may be disposed between the firstprojection 118 a and the fourth projection 118 d, and the second support116 b may be disposed between the first projection 118 a and the secondprojection 110 b.

The first support 116 a may project from the outer surface of the bobbin110, and the second support 116 b may project from the outer surface ofthe bobbin 110.

For example, the first support 116 a may have a column shape projectingfrom the side surface 110 c-1 of the bobbin 110, for example, asemicircular column. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, andthe first support may have various column shapes.

For example, the second support 116 b may have a column shape projectingfrom the side surface 110 c-2 of the bobbin 110, for example, asemicircular column. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, andthe second support may have various column shapes.

For example, the first support 116 a and the second support 116 b may bebilaterally symmetrical with respect to the first projection 118 a ;however, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, the fourth projection 118 d may project further than thefirst support 116 a in a direction toward the side surface 110 b-4 fromthe side surface 110 b-2 of the bobbin 110, and the first projection 118a may project further than the first support 116 a in a direction towardthe side surface 110 b-1 from the side surface 110 b-3 of the bobbin110.

For example, the second projection 118 b may project further than thesecond support 116 b in a direction toward the side surface 110 b-2 fromthe side surface 110 b-4 of the bobbin 110, and the first projection 118a may project further than the first support 116 a in a direction towardthe side surface 110 b-1 from the side surface 110 b-3 of the bobbin110. The reason for this is to increase freedom in design of dispositionof the posts 216 a and 216 b of the first and second roller units 150and 160.

Next, the magnet 130 will be described.

The magnet 130 may be disposed or mounted to the bobbin 110. Forexample, the magnet 130 may be disposed in the mounting recess 102formed in the side surface 110 b-1 of the bobbin 110, for example, theouter surface of the first projection 118 a.

Although the magnet 130 may have a shape corresponding to the sidesurface 110 b-1 of the bobbin 110, for example, a rectangularparallelepiped shape, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Although the magnet 130 may be a bipolar magnetized magnet in order toincrease drive force resulting from the electromagnetic interaction withthe coil, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, the magnet 130 may be a bipolar magnetized magnet, which isdivided into two poles in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.Here, the magnet 130 may be embodied by a ferrite magnet, an alnicomagnet, a rare-earth magnet or the like.

For example, the magnet 130 may include a first magnet portion 31including an N pole and an S pole, a second magnet portion 32 includingan S pole and an N pole, and a non-magnetic partition wall 33.

The first magnet portion 31 and the second magnet portion 32 may bespaced apart from each other, and the non-magnetic partition wall 33 maybe positioned between the first magnet portion 31 and the second magnetportion 32.

The non-magnetic partition wall is a portion that is almost completelynon-magnetic and which may include a zone having almost no polarity. Thenon-magnetic partition wall may be filled with air or a non-magneticmaterial, and may be referred to as a “neutral zone”.

In another embodiment, the magnet 130 may be a monopolar magnetizedmagnet including an S pole and an N pole.

Next, the base 210 will be described.

FIG. 3A is a first perspective view of the base 210 shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 3B is a second perspective view of the base 210 shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the base 210, the first andsecond roller units 150 and 160, the magnetic body 195, the coil 120 andthe circuit board 190, which are shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4, the base 210 may be coupled to thecover member 300, and may define a space for accommodating the bobbin110, in cooperation with the cover member 300.

The base 210 may have an opening 301 that corresponds to the opening inthe cover member 300 and/or the opening in the bobbin 110. The base 210may have a shape, for example, a square shape, that coincides with orcorresponds to the cover member 300.

The base 210 may include a body 213 having the opening 301 and the posts216 a to 216 d projecting from the body 213.

The body 213 of the base 210 may include corner portions 217 a to 217 dand side portions 218 a to 218 d positioned between the corner portions217 a to 217 d.

Each of the posts 216 a to 216 d may be disposed at a corresponding oneof the corner portions 217 a to 217 d of the body 213.

For example, the base 210 may include a first post 216 a, which projectsupwards a predetermined height from the first corner portion 217 a, asecond post 216 b, which project upwards a predetermined height from thesecond corner portion 217 b, a third post 216 c, which project upwards apredetermined height from the third corner portion 217 c, and a fourthpost 216 d, which projects upwards a predetermined height from thefourth corner portion 217 d.

The term “posts” of the base 210 may be used interchangeably with theterm “projections”.

Although each of the posts 216 a to 216 d may have, for example, apolygonal shape, a circular shape or an elliptical shape, which projectvertically from the upper surface of the body 213 of the base 210, thedisclosure is not limited thereto. Although the posts 216 a to 216 d mayhave, for example, a cross section of an “L” shape or a polygonal shapesuch as a triangular shape, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Although the length of each of the side portions 218 a to 218 d of thebody 213 of the base 210 in a transverse direction may be larger thanthe length of each of the corner portions 217 a to 217 d of the body 213of the base 210, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Openings may be defined between two adjacent posts 216 a and 216 b, 216b and 216 c, 216 c and 216 d, and 216 d and 216 a.

Although the heights of the posts 216 a to 216 d may be the same withrespect to the upper surface of the body 213 of the base 210, thedisclosure is not limited thereto.

The base 210 may include stoppers 23 projecting from the upper surfaceof the body 2130. Although at least one, for example, two stoppers 23may be disposed at the upper surface of each of the second side portion218 b and the fourth side portion 218 d, the position and the numberthereof are not limited thereto. The stopper 23 of the base 210 may alsobe referred to as a “lower stopper”.

The stopper 23 may prevent the lower surface or the lower end of thebobbin 110 from directly colliding with the body 213 of the base 210.

The base 210 may include stoppers 31, which are disposed on the uppersurfaces or the upper ends of the posts 216 a to 216 d. The stoppers 31of the base 210 may be referred to as “upper stoppers”.

For example, the stoppers 31 of the base 210 may form a structureprojecting from the upper surfaces of the posts 216 a to 216 d in theoptical-axis direction.

The stoppers 31 of the base 210 may serve to ensure a space or a gap inwhich the bobbin 110 is movable during AF operation.

The lower end of the outer surface of the body 213 of the base 210 maybe provided with a step 211. The step 211 may be in contact with thelower ends of the side plates of the cover member 300, and may guide thecover member 300. The step 211 of the base 210 and the lower ends of theside plates of the cover member 300 may be adhesively and sealablysecured to each other, and may be sealed using an adhesive or the like.

The base 210 may include a first groove 51 a, formed in the first post216 a, in which the first roller unit 150 is disposed, and a secondgroove 51 b, formed in the second post 216 b adjacent to the first post216 a, in which the second roller unit 160 is disposed.

For example, the first groove 51 a may have a shape that corresponds toor coincides with at least one of the rollers included in the firstroller unit 150, and the second groove 51 b may have a shape thatcorresponds to or coincides with at least one of the rollers included inthe second roller unit 160.

Each of the first groove 51 a and the second groove 51 b may have astructure depressed from the upper surface of the base 210.

The first groove 51 a may include a first opening, which is open at theinner surface of the first post 216 a, and the second groove 51 b mayinclude a second opening, which is open at the inner surface of thesecond post 216 b.

The first support 116 a of the bobbin 110 may be disposed in the firstopening 61 a, and may be in contact with a portion of the first rollerunit 150. Furthermore, the second support 116 b of the bobbin 110 may bedisposed in the second opening 61 b, and may be in contact with aportion of the second roller unit 160.

By virtue of the first opening 61 a and the second opening 61 b, it ispossible to reduce the frictional force between the first and secondroller units 150 and 160 and the first and second grooves 51 a and 51 bin the base 210. By controlling the sizes of the first and secondopenings 61 a and 61 b, it is possible to obtain desired frictionalforce between the first and second roller units 150 and 160 and the base210.

The base 210 may further include a first guide groove 52 a formed in theinner surface of the first groove 51 a in the first post 216 a, and asecond guide groove 52 b formed in the inner surface of the secondgroove 51 b in the second post 216 b.

A first protrusion 311 of the cover member 300 (which will be describedlater) may be inserted or disposed in the first guide groove 52 a, and asecond protrusion 312 of the cover member 300 may be inserted ordisposed in the second guide groove 52 b.

Lubricant may be injected into the first groove 51 a through the firstguide groove 52 a, and may be injected into the second groove 51 bthrough the second guide groove 52 b.

The lubricant may be disposed in the first groove 51 a and the secondgroove 51 b, may be in contact with the first groove 51 a and the firstroller unit 150, and may be in contact with the second groove 51 b andthe second roller unit 160.

Although the lubricant may be grease-type lubricant, for example, SDM(steel dust meter)-378, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The lubricant may reduce the frictional force between the first andsecond roller units 1150 and 1160 and the first and second grooves 51 aand 51 b, and may make the rotation of the first and second roller units150 and 160 smooth.

The base 210 may include a first mounting recess 41 and a secondmounting recess 42, which are formed in the first and second posts 216 aand 216 b and the body 213.

Each of the first mounting recess 41 and the second mounting recess 42may have a stepped structure or a 2-level structure based on the outersurface of the first and second posts 216 a and 216 b of the base 210.

The first mounting recess 41 may be formed in the outer surfaces of thefirst and second posts 216 a and 216 b and the outer surface of thefirst side portion 218 a, and may have a shape that is the same as orcoincides with that of the circuit board 190.

The second mounting recess 42 may be positioned in the first mountingrecess 41, may be formed in the outer surfaces of the first and secondposts 216 a and 216 b and in the outer surface of the first side portion218 a of the body 213, and may be the same as or coincide with themagnetic body 195.

Next, the circuit board 190 will be described.

The circuit board 190 may be disposed or secured to the base 210.

The circuit board 190 may be secured to the first and second posts 216 aand 216 b of the base 210. For example, the circuit board 190 may bedisposed at the first and second posts 216 a and 216 b of the base 210and at the first side portion 218 a of the body 2130.

For example, the circuit board 190 may be disposed in the first mountingrecess 41.

The circuit board 190 may include terminals conductively connected tothe coil, for example, a first terminal 91 and a second terminal 92, andthe terminals of the circuit board 190 may be disposed or positioned atthe body 213 of the base 210.

For example, the circuit board 190 may be a printed circuit board or aflexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

Next, the coil 120 will be described.

The coil 120 may be disposed, mounted or secured to the circuit board190 so as to correspond to or face the magnet 130. For example, the coil120 may be disposed on a first surface of the circuit board 190, and theterminals 91 and 92 may be disposed on a second surface of the circuitboard 190.

Although the coil 120 may be secured or attached to the circuit board190 using, for example, an adhesive member, the disclosure is notlimited thereto.

The coil 120 may be positioned between the first post 216 a and thesecond post 216 b of the base 210.

The coil 120 may be, for example, a coil ring having a ring shape. Forexample, the coil 120 may have an elongated ring shape in which thehorizontal length thereof is greater than the vertical length thereof.

In order to generate electromagnetic force resulting from theelectromagnetic interaction with the magnet 130, a drive signal may beapplied to the coil 120. Here, the drive signal applied to the coil 120may be a DC signal, and may be a voltage type or a current type. Forexample, the drive signal applied to the coil 120 may include at leastone of a DC signal and an AC signal.

The coil 120, to which the drive signal is applied, mayelectromagnetically interact with the magnet 130 disposed at the bobbin110, and an AF operation unit may be moved in the first direction bymeans of the electromagnetic force resulting from the electromagneticinteraction between the coil 120 and the magnet 130. By controlling theintensity of the drive signal, it is possible to control the movement ofthe AF operation unit in the first direction, and it is thus to possibleto perform an autofocusing function.

The AF operation unit may include the bobbin 110 and components that aremounted on the bobbin 110 and moved therewith. For example, the AFoperation unit may include the bobbin 110 and the magnet 130.

The coil 120 may be conductively connected to the first terminal 91 andthe second terminal 92 of the circuit board 190. For example, the twoends of the coil 120 may be conductively connected to pads (not shown)provided on the first surface of the circuit board 190, and the pads(not shown) may be conductively connected to corresponding ones of thefirst and second terminals 91 and 92 of the circuit board 190.

A drive signal may be applied to the coil 120 via the first and secondterminals 91 and 92 of the circuit board 190.

Next, the first roller unit 150 and the second roller unit 160 will bedescribed.

The first roller unit 150 may be disposed in the first groove 51 a so asto be in contact with at least two regions of the first groove 51 a. Forexample, the first roller unit 150 (for example, rollers P1 to P3) maybe in contact with four regions of the first groove 51 a.

The second roller unit 160 may be disposed in the second groove 51 b soas to be contact with at least two regions of the second groove 51 b.For example, the second roller unit 160 (for example, rollers Q1 to Q3)may be in contact with four regions of the second groove 51 b.

The first roller unit 150 may include at least one roller (for example,P1 to P3), and may be disposed in the first groove 51 a in the firstpost 216 a of the base 210.

The roller unit 160 may include at least one roller (for example, Q1 toQ3), and may be disposed in the second groove 51 b in the second post216 b of the base 210.

The first roller unit 150 may be in contact with the first support 116 aof the bobbin 110, and the second roller unit 150 may be in contact withthe second support 116 b of the bobbin 110.

When the bobbin 110 is moved in the optical-axis direction, the firstroller unit 150 and the second roller unit 160, which are respectivelyin contact with the first and second supports 116 a and 116 b, may rollor rotate, thereby supporting the movement of the bobbin 110 in theoptical-axis direction and guiding the movement of the bobbin 110 in theoptical-axis direction.

Frictional force may be generated between the first and second rollerunits 150 and 160 and the first and second supports 116 a and 116 b ofthe bobbin 110. The frictional force may be affected by the contactareas between the first and second rollers and the first and secondsupports. In other words, the frictional force may increase as thecontact area between the rollers and the supports increases.

Each of the first and second roller units 150 and 160 may include aplurality of rollers. For example, the number of rollers included ineach of the first and second roller units 150 and 160 may be two, three,four or more.

Although the first roller unit 150 may include three rollers (P1 to P3),the disclosure is not limited thereto. The number of rollers may be oneor more.

Although the second roller unit 160 may include three rollers (Q1 toQ3), the disclosure is not limited thereto. The number of rollers may beone or more.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the first groove 51 a formed in the firstpost 216 a. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the roller P1 shown in FIG. 4.FIG. 7 is a plan view of the lens moving apparatus 100, from which thecover member 300 is removed. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of thelens moving apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 7, taken along line A-B. FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view of the lens moving apparatus 100 shown in FIG.7, taken along line C-D.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 9, the first groove 51 a may include a sidesurface 51-1 and a bottom 51-2.

The bottom 51-2 of the first groove 51 a may have a predetermined depthfrom the upper surface 210 a of the base 210 in the optical-axisdirection. For example, the bottom 51-2 of the first groove 51 a may bepositioned higher than the upper surface 210 a of the base 210 based onthe lower surface of the base 210.

The bottom 51-2 of the first groove 51 a may have formed therein agroove or a hole 60. Although the groove 50 may expose the upper surfaceof the base therethrough, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The bottom 51-2 of the first groove 51 a may include a first bottom 51-2a and a second bottom 51-2 b, which are spaced apart from each other,and the groove 60 may be disposed between the first bottom 51-2 a andthe second bottom 51-2 b.

By virtue of the groove 60, the size of the surface area of the rollerP3 that comes into contact with the bottom 51-2 of the first groove 51 amay decrease, with the result that the frictional force between theroller P3 and the first post 216 a may decrease and the frictional forcebetween the roller P3 and the first support 116 a may also decrease.

The first side surface 51-la of the first groove 51 a may have formedtherein a first opening 61 a, which is open at the inner surface of thefirst post 216 a, and the second side surface 51-lb of the first groove51 a may have formed therein the first guide groove 52 a.

The first opening 61 a in the first post 216 a may expose a portion orone surface of the rollers P1 to P3 inserted or disposed in the firstgroove 51 a therethrough.

The first opening 61 a may have a size sufficient to allow the firstsupport 116 a to be inserted thereinto.

For example, the horizontal length D2 of the first opening 61 a may belarger than the horizontal length D1 of the first support 116 a (D2>D1). The vertical length H2 of the first opening 61 a may be equal toor larger than the vertical length H1 of the first support 116 a (H2H1).

For example, the first support 116 a may be inserted into the firstopening 61 a so as to come into contact with the rollers P1 to P3disposed in the first groove 51 a and to be spaced apart from the firstpost 216 a of the base 210.

The first guide groove 52 a may have a shape depressed from the secondside surface 51-lb of the first groove 51 a, and may have a semicircularshape or a semicircular column shape; however, the shape is not limitedthereto.

For example, the height of the bottom 52-1 of the first guide groove 52a may be equal to the height of the bottom 51-2 of the first groove 52 a; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 6, although the roller P1 may have a cylindrical shapeor a circular cylinder shape, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The length L of the roller P1 may be larger than the diameter R thereof.

The ratio of the diameter R of each of the rollers (for example, P1 toP3) and the longitudinal length L of each of the rollers (for example,P1 to P3) may be 1:1.5˜1:5.

For example, the ratio of the diameter R of the roller P1 to the lengthL of the roller P1 may be 1:1.5˜1:5.

Here, the ratio (R:L) of the diameter to the length may also be 1:2˜1:3.

For example, when the ratio (L/R) of the length to the diameter of theroller P1 is smaller than 1.5, an effect of preventing movement of thebobbin 110 in the x-axis direction or in the y-axis direction may bereduced.

When the ratio (L/R) of the length to the diameter of the roller P1 islarger than 5, the size of the first post 216 a for accommodating theroller may be increased, and spatial interference between the coil 120and the circuit board 190 may occur.

The second groove 51 b formed in the second post 216 b may have the sameshape as the first groove 51 a, and the description regarding the firstgroove 51 a shown in FIG. 5 may also be applied to the second groove 51b.

Furthermore, the description regarding the roller P1 shown in FIG. 6 mayalso be applied to the remaining rollers P2 and P3 of the first rollerunit 150 and the rollers Q1 to Q3 of the second roller unit 160.

In order to prevent the first roller unit 150 and the second roller unit160 from being separated from the first groove 51 a and the secondgroove 51 b, the cover member 300 may include the first protrusion 311and the second protrusion 312.

The first protrusion 311 of the cover member 300 may be inserted ordisposed in the first guide groove 52 a, and the second protrusion 312of the cover member 300 may be inserted or disposed in the second guidegroove 52 b.

FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of a cross section of FIG. 7, taken alongline C-D. The cover member 300 is illustrated in the cross-sectionalview of FIG. 11.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 11, the cover member 300 may include the firstprotrusion 311, which corresponds to the first roller unit 150 andprojects from the inner surface of the top plate.

Furthermore, the cover member 300 may include the second protrusion 312,which corresponds to the second roller unit 160 and projects from theinner surface of the top plate.

The first protrusion 311 may project downwards from the inner surface ofthe top plate of the cover member 300, and may be inserted or disposedin the first groove 51 a and the first guide groove 52 a.

The second protrusion 312 may project downwards from the inner surfaceof the top plate of the cover member 300, and may be inserted ordisposed in the second groove 51 b and the second guide groove 52 b.

Each of the first protrusion 311 and the second protrusion 312 may havea groove shape depressed from the upper surface of the top plate of thecover member 330.

Referring to FIG. 7, the center 7 a of the opening 101 may not bealigned with the center 7 b of the base 210, and may be positionedfarther than the magnet 130 from the center 7 b of the base 210. Inother words, the center of the lens mounted in the bobbin 110 may bepositioned farther than the center 7 b of the base 210 from the magnet130.

For example, the center 7 b of the base 210 may be positioned betweenthe center 7 a of the opening 101 in the bobbin 110 and the magnet 130.

The projections 118 a to 118 d of the bobbin 110 may be positionedbetween the posts 216 a to 216 d of the base 210. For example, each ofthe projections 118 a to 118 d of the bobbin 110 may be positionedbetween two adjacent posts 216 a and 216 b, 216 b and 216 c, 216 c and216 d, and 216 d and 216 d. Since each of the projections 118 a to 118 dof the bobbin 110 may be positioned between two adjacent posts 216 a and216 b, 216 b and 216 c, 216 c and 216 d, and 216 d and 216 d, it ispossible to reduce or decrease the size of the lens moving apparatus100.

Each of the rollers P1 to P3 and Q1 to Q3 of the first and second rollerunits 150 and 160 may be in contact with a side surface (for example,51-1) of the first and second grooves 51 a and 51 b. For example, theouter surface of each of the rollers P1 to P3 and Q1 to Q3 may be insurface contact with the side surface (for example, 51-1) of the firstand second grooves 51 a and 51 b.

In another embodiment, the side surfaces (for example, 51-1) of thefirst and second grooves 51 a and 51 b may be provided with a pluralityof protrusions. The plurality of protrusions may be in contact with theouter surfaces of the rollers P1 to P3 and Q1 to Q3.

FIGS. 14A to 14C are fragmentary perspective views of a base 210Aaccording to another embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 14A to 14C, the side surfaces 51-1 a, 51-1 b and 51-1c of the first groove 51 a of the base 210A may be provided with aplurality of protrusions 14 a to 14 c or 14 d, which correspond to therollers P1 to P3.

In FIG. 14A, the protrusions 14 a, 14 b and 14 c may be disposed at thefirst side surface 51-1 a and the second side surface 51-1 b of thefirst groove 51 a.

In FIG. 14B, the protrusions 14 a, 14 b and 14 c may be disposed at thefirst to third side surfaces 51-1 a, 51-1 b and 51-1 c of the firstgroove 51 a.

In FIGS. 14A and 14B, each of the protrusions 14 a, 14 b and 14 c mayhave a semicircular shape. In FIG. 14C, the protrusion 14 d may have alinear projection shape, the cross section of which has a semicircularor arched shape.

The outer circumferential surface or the side surface of each of therollers P1 to P3 and Q1 to Q3 may be in contact with the plurality ofprotrusions 14 a to 14 d, and may be spaced apart from the first tothird side surfaces 51-1 a, 51-lb and 51-1 c.

The side surface of the second groove 51 b of the bobbin 110 may beprovided with a plurality of protrusions, which correspond to therollers Q1 to Q3. The description regarding the protrusions 14 a to 14 dprovided at the side surfaces of the first groove 51 b in the bobbin 110may also be applied to the second groove 51 b in the bobbin 110.

In FIGS. 14A to 14C, since the rollers P1 to P3 and Q1 to Q3 may be inline contact or surface contact with the protrusions 14 a to 14 d, thefrictional force between the base 210A and the rollers P1, P2 and P3shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C may be reduced compared to the base 210 shownin FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 8, at the initial position of the AF operation unit(for example, at the initial position of the bobbin 110), the coil 120may overlap the magnet 130 in a direction toward the fourth post 216 dfrom the first post 216 a.

Here, the initial position of the AF operation unit, for example, thebobbin 110, may be the original position of the AF operation unit in thestate in which no electric power is applied to the coil 120. Inaddition, the initial position of the AF operation unit may be theposition at which the AF operation unit is located when gravity acts inthe direction from the bobbin 110 to the base 210 or when gravity actsin the direction from the base 210 to the bobbin 110.

For example, in a direction toward the fourth post 216 d from the firstpost 216 a, an upper portion 120-1 of the coil 120 may overlap a firstmagnet portion 31 of the magnet 130, a lower portion 120-2 of the coil120 may overlap a second magnet portion 32 of the magnet 130, and thespace between the upper portion 120-1 and the lower portion 120-2 of thecoil 120 may overlap a non-magnetic partition 33 of the magnet 130.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged view of FIG. 7. The descriptionregarding FIG. 10 may also be applied to the roller unit 1160 and thesecond support 116 b of the bobbin 110.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 10, the rollers P1 to P3 of the first rollerunit 150 may be disposed so as to be inclined at a first angle ei withrespect to a first reference line 501.

Furthermore, the rollers Q1 to Q3 of the second roller unit 160 may bedisposed so as to be inclined at a second angle (not shown) with respectto the first reference line.

Here, the first reference line 501 may be an imaginary line (forexample, the x-axis) parallel to a direction toward the second post 216b from the first post 216 a.

For example, the first reference line 502 may extend through the pointat which the rollers (for example, P1, P2 and P3) of the first rollerunit 150 meet the first support 116 a. Alternatively, the firstreference line may extend through the point at which the rollers (forexample, Q1, Q2 and Q3) of the second roller unit 160 meet the secondsupport 116 b .

For example, the central axis 601 (see FIG. 6) of the rollers (forexample, P1, P2 and P3) may be inclined at a first angle (θ1) withrespect to the first reference line 501. Furthermore, the central axisof the rollers (for example, Q1, Q2 and Q3) of the second roller unit160 may be inclined at a second angle with respect to the firstreference line.

For example, the first angle θ1 may be an angle between the central axis601 (see FIG. 6) of the rollers (for example, P1, P2 and P3) and thefirst reference line 501, and the second angle may be an angle betweenthe rollers (for example, Q1, Q2 and Q3) of the second roller unit 160and the first reference line.

For example, the first angle θ1 may be an angle to which the centralaxis 601 of the rollers (for example, P1, P2 and P3) of the first rollerunit 150 is rotated clockwise with respect to the first reference line501.

Furthermore, the second angle may be an angle to which the central axisof the rollers (for example, Q1, Q2 and Q3) of the second roller unit160 is rotated clockwise with respect to the first reference line.

For example, the central axis 601 (see FIG. 6) of the rollers (forexample, P1, P2 and P3) of the first roller unit 150 may be an axis thatextends through the center of the rollers (for example, P1, P2 and P3)and is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rollers (forexample, P1, P2 and P3). For example, the center of the rollers (forexample, P1, P2 and P3) may be the diametric center of the rollers. Thedescription regarding the central axis 601 of the rollers (for example,P1, P2 and P3) of the first roller unit 150 may be applied to thecentral axis of the rollers (for example, Q1, Q2 and Q3) of the secondroller unit 160.

Each of the rollers (for example, P1, P2 and P3) may be disposed so asto be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the optical axis.

For example, the rollers (for example, P1, P2 and P3) may be disposedsuch that the central axis 601 is perpendicular to the optical axis OA,and may be rotated about the central axis 601. Furthermore, the rollersQ1, Q2 and Q3 of the second roller unit 160 may be disposed such thatthe central axis is perpendicular to the optical axis OA, and may berotated about the central axis.

The first angle θ1 and the second angle may be different from eachother.

For example, the first angle θ1 may be 30°˜60°, and the second angle maybe 120°˜150°. For example, the second angle may be a value obtained bysubtracting the first angle θ1 from 180°.

For example, the first angle θ1 may be 40°˜50°.

For example, the first angle θ1 may be 43°˜47°.

For example, the first angle θ1 may be 45°.

When the first angle θ1 is smaller than 40°, an effect of suppressingthe movement of the bobbin 110 in the x-axis direction may be reduced.When the first angle θ1 is smaller than 40°, an effect of suppressingthe movement of the bobbin 110 in the x-axis direction may be reduced.When the first angle θ1 is larger than 60°, an effect of suppressing themovement of the bobbin 110 in the y-axis direction may be reduced.

Since the rollers P1 to P3 of the first roller unit 150 are disposed soas to be inclined at the first angle 81 with respect to the firstreference line 501 and the rollers Q1 to Q3 of the second roller unit1160 are disposed so as to be inclined at the second angle with respectto the first reference line, it is possible to suppress the movement ofthe bobbin 110 in a direction parallel to the first reference line 501(for example, in the x-axis direction) or in a direction parallel to thesecond reference line 502 (for example, in the y-axis direction). Forexample, the second reference line 502 may be an imaginary lineperpendicular to the first reference line 501.

For example, when the first angle 81 is 45° and the second angle is135°, the rollers P1 to P3 of the first roller unit 150 and the rollersQ1, Q2 and Q3 of the second roller unit 160 are able to suppress themovement of the bobbin 110 in the x-axis direction and in the y-axisdirection in a balanced manner.

For example, the central line 503 of the first support 116 a of thebobbin 110 and the central axis 601 of the rollers (for example, P1, P2and P3) may be perpendicular to each other, and the central line of thesecond support 116 b of the bobbin 110 and the central axis of therollers (for example, Q1, Q2 and Q3) may be perpendicular to each other;however, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The central line 503 of the first support 116 a may be a line thatextends through the point at which the first support is in contact withthe rollers (for example, P1, P2 or P3) and that divides the firstsupport 116 a into two. For example, the central line 503 of the firstsupport 116 a may be a line that divides the first support 116 a intotwo symmetrical segments.

Furthermore, the central line of the second support 116 b may be a linethat extends through the point at which the second support is in contactwith the rollers (for example, Q1, Q2 or Q3) and that divides the secondsupport 116 b into two. For example, the central line of the secondsupport 116 b may be a line that divides the second support 116 b intotwo symmetrical segments.

In FIG. 10, the description regarding the disposition of the rollers P1to P3 of the first roller unit 150 may also be applied to thedisposition of the rollers Q1 to Q3 of the second roller unit 160.

The first roller unit 150 and the second roller unit 160 may be disposedso as to be symmetrical with respect to the central line 710 (see FIG.7), which is parallel to a direction toward the fourth post 216 d fromthe first post 216 a and which extends through the center of the opening101 in the bobbin 110.

Next, the magnetic body 195 will be described.

The magnetic body 195 may be disposed at the base 210, and may bepositioned under the coil 120.

For example, the magnetic body 195 may be disposed on the outer surfaceof the base 210.

For example, attractive force may act between the magnetic body 195 andthe magnet 130.

For example, the magnetic body 195 may be positioned lower than themagnet 130 based on the lower surface of the base, and may serve tosuppress tilting of the bobbin 110 during movement of the bobbin 110.The magnetic body 195 may also be referred to as a “tilt suppressor”,“tilt compensator” or “tilt controller” because the magnetic bodysuppresses the occurrence of tilting of the bobbin 1110.

In the lens moving apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, becausethe magnet 130 is disposed on only one side surface 110 b-1 of thebobbin 110 and only one coil 120 is disposed so as to correspond to theone magnet 130, imbalance in electromagnetic force may occur between theside surface 110 b-1 of the bobbin 110 on which the magnet 130 isdisposed, and the opposite side surface 110 b-3.

Owing to the imbalance in electromagnetic force, tilting of the bobbin110 may occur during movement of the bobbin 110. However, the embodimentis able to suppress the occurrence of tilting of the bobbin since themagnetic body 195 is made of a material that is attracted to the magnet130.

The magnetic body 195 may be composed of a material, which is attractedto a magnet, for example, a magnetic material (for example, a materialhaving magnetic property).

In another embodiment, the magnetic body 1195 may be composed of amaterial that is attracted to a magnet, for example, a metal material(for example, iron).

The magnetic body 195 may be disposed on the outer surfaces of the firstand second posts 216 a and 216 b and the outer surface of the first sideportion 218 a of the body 213 of the base 210. For example, the magneticbody 195 may be disposed in the second mounting recess 42.

The magnetic body 195 may have a plate shape. For example, the magneticbody 195 may include a plate 195-1, a first extension 195-2 extendingupwards from one end of the plate 195-1, and a second extension 195-3extending upwards from the other end of the plate 195-1.

The plate 195-1 of the magnetic body 195 may be disposed on the outersurface of the first side portion 218 a of the body 213 of the base 210.For example, the magnetic body 195 may be secured or attached to thebase 210 using an adhesive member.

The first extension 195-2 may be disposed on the side surface (forexample, the outer surface) of the first post 216 a, and may extend in adirection toward the upper surface from the lower surface of the base210.

The second extension 195-3 may be disposed on the side surface (forexample, the outer surface) of the second post 216 b, and may extend ina direction toward the upper surface from the lower surface of the base210.

The first and second extensions 195-2 and 195-3 may increase the bindingforce between the magnetic body 195 and the base 210.

In order to increase the force acting between the magnet 130 and themagnetic body 195, the horizontal length Ll (see FIG. 4) of the plate195-1 of the magnetic body 195 may be larger than the horizontal lengthL2 (see FIG. 2) of the magnet 130; however, the disclosure is notlimited thereto. In another embodiment, L1 may be equal to Le.

Because attractive force acts between the magnetic body 195 and themagnet 130, it is possible to set the initial position of the bobbin 110even when a drive signal is not applied to the coil 120.

For example, when a drive signal is not applied to the coil 120, it ispossible to cause the bobbin 110 to be positioned at the lowest level bymeans of the attractive force acting between the magnetic body 195 andthe magnet 130. Here, the lowest level of the bobbin 110 may be thelowest position from the base 210 in the range of displacement of thebobbin 110. Here, the lowest position of the bobbin 110 may be theinitial position of the bobbin 110.

For example, when a drive signal is not applied to the coil 120, theforce acting between the magnetic body 195 and the magnet 140 may beequal to or larger than the force required to cause the bobbin 110 to bedisposed at the lowest position.

Since it is possible to set the initial position of the bobbin 110 bymeans of the attractive force acting between the magnetic body 195 andthe magnet 130, it is possible to perform accurate AF operation evenwithout an additional location sensor.

Since the center of the bobbin 110 is not aligned with the center of thebase and only one magnet 130 is used, the embodiment is able to reducethe number of components.

Since the embodiment includes the rollers in place of a spring, theembodiment is able to reduce the amount of current that is consumedduring AS operation compared to a lens moving apparatus employing aspring. Furthermore, since the settling time is reduced, it is possibleto increase the speed of AF operation.

Since the magnetic body 195 and the magnet 130 are disposed at one sideportion 218 a of the body 213 of the base 210, the embodiment is able tosimultaneously perform both tilt compensation and drive operation.

By means of lubricant injected into the first and second grooves 51 aand 51 b through the first and second guide grooves 52 a and 52 b, it ispossible to make rotation and driving of the first and second rollerunits 150 and 160 smooth.

Furthermore, since the rollers P1 to P3 and Q1 to Q3 are disposed so asto be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the firstreference line 501, the embodiment is able to suppress the movement ofthe bobbin 110 in x-axis and y-axis directions.

Since the cover member 300 includes the first and second protrusions 311and 312, the embodiment is able to prevent the rollers P1 to P3 and Q1to Q3 from being separated from the first and second grooves 51 a and 51b.

Although the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 11 is not provided with alocation sensor, the disclosure is not limited thereto. A lens movingapparatus according to another embodiment may further include a locationsensor.

FIG. 12 illustrates a location sensor 170, which is additionallyprovided at the lens moving apparatus 100. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectionalview of the embodiment including the location sensor 170 of FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the location sensor 170 may be disposed ormounted on the circuit board 190, and may be positioned in the space inthe coil 120.

For example, the location sensor 170 may be positioned in the spacebetween the upper portion 120-1 and the lower portion 120-2 of the coil120.

For example, the location sensor 170 may overlap the non-magneticpartition 33 in a direction toward the fourth post 216 d from the firstpost 216 d.

The location sensor 170 may detect the intensity of a magnetic field ofthe magnet 130 mounted on the bobbin 110 according to the movement ofthe bobbin 110, and may output an output signal corresponding to thedetected intensity. The location sensor 170 may be disposed on the firstsurface of the circuit board 190. Here, the first surface of the circuitboard 190 may be the surface on which the coil 120 is disposed.

The location sensor 170 may be embodied as a drive IC type including ahall sensor, or may be embodied as only a single location detectionsensor such as a hall sensor or the like.

For example, when the location sensor 170 is embodied by only one hallsensor, the location sensor 170 may include two input terminals and twooutput terminals.

The circuit board 190 may be conductively connected to the locationsensor 170. For example, the four terminals of the location sensor 170may be conductively connected to the circuit board 190, and the circuitboard 190 may further include terminals conductively connected to thefour terminals of the location sensor 170. For example, the circuitboard 190 may include two terminals conductively connected to the coil120 and four terminals conductively connected to the location sensor170.

When the location sensor 170 is a drive-IC-type sensor including a hallsensor, the circuit board 190 may include four terminals conductivelyconnected to the location sensor 170 because a drive signal is appliedto the coil 120 from the location sensor 170.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a bobbin according to anotherembodiment. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a base according to anotherembodiment. FIG. 17 is an assembled perspective view of the bobbin shownin FIG. 15 and the base shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a perspective viewof the bobbin shown in FIG. 15 and the base, the first and second rollerunits 150 and 160, the first coil 120 and the circuit board 190 shown inFIG. 16.

In FIGS. 15 to 18, the same numerals as those in FIGS. to 13 indicatethe same components, and descriptions regarding the same components willbe made briefly or omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 15 to 18, the bobbin shown in FIG. 15 may include afirst groove for supporting the first roller unit 150 and a secondgroove for supporting the second roller unit 160.

For example, the bobbin shown in FIG. 15 may include a first supportgroove 15 a positioned to the right of the first support 116 a and asecond support groove 15 b positioned to the left of the first support116 a.

Furthermore, the bobbin shown in FIG. 15 may include a third supportgroove 15 c positioned to the left of the second support 116 b and afourth support groove 15 d positioned to the right of the second support116 b.

For example, the first support groove 15 a may be positioned at one sidesurface of the first projection 118 a positioned to the right of thefirst support 116 a, and the second support groove 15 b may bepositioned at one side surface of the fourth projection 118 d positionedto the left of the first support 116 a.

For example, the third support groove 15 c may be positioned at theother side surface of the first projection 118 a positioned to the leftof the second support 116 a, and the fourth support groove 15 d may bepositioned at one side surface of the second projection 118 b positionedto the right of the second support 116 b.

The inner surface of the first post 216 a of the base shown in FIG. 16may be provided with a first mounting groove 16 a corresponding to thefirst support groove 15 a in the bobbin shown in FIG. 15 and a secondmounting groove 16 b corresponding to the second support groove 15 b inthe bobbin shown in FIG. 15.

The inner surface of the second post 216 b of the base shown in FIG. 16may be provided with a third mounting groove 16 c corresponding to thethird support groove 15 c of the bobbin shown in FIG. 15 and a fourthmounting groove 16 d corresponding to the fourth support groove 15 d ofthe bobbin shown in FIG. 15.

Referring to FIG. 17, the first and second support grooves 15 a and 15 bin the bobbin shown in FIG. 15 and the first and second mounting grooves16 a and 16 b corresponding to the first and second support grooves 15 aand 15 b may define a first groove, in which the first roller unit 150as inserted, disposed or mounted.

Furthermore, the third and fourth support grooves 15 c and 15 d in thebobbin shown in FIG. 15 and the third and fourth mounting grooves 16 cand 16 d in the second post 216 b shown in FIG. 16 may define together asecond groove, in which the second roller unit 160 is inserted, disposedor mounted.

Referring to FIG. 18, the first roller unit 150 may be in contact withthe first and second support grooves 15 a and 16 b in the bobbin shownin FIG. 15 and the first and second mounting grooves 16 a and 16 b inthe first post 216 a shown in FIG. 16.

The second roller unit 160 may be in contact with the third and fourthsupport grooves 15 c and 15 d in the bobbin shown in FIG. 15 and thethird and fourth mounting grooves 16 c and 16 d in the second post 216 bshown in FIG. 16.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, the first roller unit 150 isinserted or disposed in the first groove 51 a formed in the first post216 a, and the second roller unit 160 is inserted or disposed in thesecond groove 51 b formed in the second post 216 b.

In contrast, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the first andsecond roller units 150 and 160 may be disposed or mounted in thegrooves defined by the first to fourth support grooves 15 a to 15 dformed in the bobbin and the first and second mounting grooves 16 a to16 d.

The description of FIGS. 7 to 10 may also be applied to the embodimentof FIGS. 15 to 18.

The protrusions 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and 14 d shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C maybe applied to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, and thedescription regarding the protrusions 14 a, 14 b 1, 14 may also beapplied thereto.

The location sensor 170 shown in FIG. 12 may be applied to theembodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, and the description regarding thelocation sensor 170 may be applied thereto.

FIG. 19 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a lens movingapparatus 1100 according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 19, the lens moving apparatus 1100 may include a covermember 1300, a bobbin 1110, a coil 1120, a magnet 1130, a first rollerunit 1150, a second roller unit 1160, a circuit board 1190, a magneticbody 1195 and a base 1210.

The cover member 1300 will first be described.

The cover member 1300 may accommodate the other components 1110, 1120,1130, 1150, 1160, 1190 and 1195 in the space defined by being combinedwith the base 1210. The description regarding the cover member 300 shownin FIG. 1 may be applied to the cover member 1300 shown in FIG. 19.

Next, the bobbin 1110 will be described.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the bobbin 1110 and the magnets 1130shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of the firstand second grooves 1051 a and 1051 b in the bobbin 1110 and the firstand second roller units 1150 and 1160 shown in FIG. 20. The descriptionregarding the roller P1 shown in FIG. 6 may be applied to the rollers P1to P3 and Q1 to Q3 included in the roller units 1150 and 1160 shown inFIGS. 20 and 21.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the bobbin 1110 may be positioned insideposts 1216 a to 1216 d of the base 1210, and may be moved in the firstdirection (for example, in the z-axis direction) by the electromagneticinteraction between the coil 1120 and the magnet 1130. For example, thebobbin 1110 may be moved in one direction, for example, in an upwarddirection, from the initial position of the bobbin 1110.

The bobbin 1110 may include an opening 1101 in which a lens or a lensbarrel is mounted. The description regarding the opening 101 in thebobbin 110 may be applied to the opening 1101 in the bobbin 1110.

The bobbin may include at least one stopper 1111 disposed on the uppersurface thereof. The description regarding the stopper 111 shown in FIG.2 may also be applied to the stopper 1111 of the bobbin 1110.

The bobbin 1110 may have a mounting recess 1102 formed in the outersurface thereof for mounting the magnet 1130. The description of themounting recess 102 in the bobbin 110 may be applied to the mountingrecess 1102 in the bobbin 1100.

The bobbin 1110 may include side surfaces 1110 c-1 to 1110 c-4, a sidesurface 1110 b-1 between the side surface 1110 c-1 and the side surface1110 c-2, a side surface 1110 b-2 between the side surface 1110 c-2 andthe side surface 1110 c-3, a side surface 1110 b-3 between the sidesurface 1110 c-3 and the side surface 1110 c-4, and a side surface 1110b-4 between the side surface 1110 c-4 and the side surface 1110 c-1.

The side surfaces 1110 c-1 to 1110 c-4 of the bobbin 1110 may correspondto the posts 1216 a to 1216 d of the base 1210, and the side surfaces1110 b-1 to 1110 b-4 of the bobbin 1110 may correspond to the spacesbetween the posts 1216 a to 1216 d of the base 1210.

The bobbin 1110 may include projections 118 a to 118 d projecting fromthe outer surface 1110 b thereof. For example, the outer surfaces of theprojections 118 a to 118 d may be the side surfaces 1110 b-1 to 1110 b-4of the bobbin 1110.

The mounting recess may be formed in the first projection 118 a, and mayhave a shape that is identical to or coincides with the magnet 1130.

The bobbin 1110 may have a first groove 1051 a formed in the sidesurface 1110 c-1 for disposition of the first roller unit 1150 and asecond groove 1051 b formed in the side surface 1110 c-2 for dispositionof the second roller unit 1160.

For example, the magnet 1130 may be disposed on the first side surface1110 b-1 of the bobbin 1110. The first groove 1051 a may be formed inthe second side surface 1110 c-1 adjacent to the first side surface 1110b-1 of the bobbin 1110, and the second groove 1051 b may be formed inthe third side surface 1110 c-2 adjacent to the first side surface 1110b-1 of the bobbin 1110. For example, the first side surface 1110 b-1 ofthe bobbin 1100 may be disposed between the second side surface 1110 c-1and the third side surface 1110 c-2 of the bobbin 1100. For example, thefirst side surface 1110 b-1 of the bobbin 1100 may connect the secondside surface 1110 c-1 to the third side surface 110 c-2 thereof.

For example, the first groove 1051 a may be disposed between the firstprojection 118 a and the fourth projection 118 d, and the second groove1051 b may be disposed between the first projection 118 a and the secondprojection 118 b.

For example, the first groove 1051 a may have a shape that correspondsto or coincides with at least one of the rollers included in the firstroller unit 1150, and the second groove 1051 b may have a shape thatcorresponds to or coincides with at least one of the rollers included inthe second roller unit 1160.

Each of the first groove 1051 a and the second groove 1051 b may have astructure depressed from the upper surface of the bobbin 1110.

For example, the first groove 1051 a may have a first opening 1061 aformed in the side surface 1110 c-1 of the bobbin 1110, and the secondgroove 1051 b may have a second opening 1061 b formed in the sidesurface 1110 c-2 thereof.

By virtue of the first opening 1061 a and the second opening 1061 b, itis possible to reduce the frictional force between the first and secondroller units 1150 and 1160 and the first and second grooves 1051 a and1051 b, and it is possible to obtain desired frictional force betweenthe first and second roller units 1150 and 1160 and the bobbin 1110 bycontrolling the size of the openings.

Lubricant may be injected into the first groove 1051 a and the secondgroove 1051 b in the bobbin 1110. The lubricant may be capable ofreducing the frictional force between the first and second roller units1150 and 1160 and the first and second grooves 1051 a and 1051 b and ofmaking rotation of the first and second roller units 1150 and 1160smooth.

Next, the first roller unit 1140 and the second roller unit 1160 will bedescribed.

The first roller unit 1150 may include at least one roller (for example,P1 to P3), and may be disposed in the first groove 1051 a in the bobbin1110.

The second roller unit 1160 may include at least one roller (forexample, Q1 to Q3), and may be disposed in the first groove 1051 b inthe bobbin 1110.

For example, the first roller un 1150 may be in contact with at leasttwo regions of the first groove 1051 a in the bobbin 1110, and thesecond roller unit 1150 may be in contact with at least two regions ofthe second groove 1051 b therein.

The first roller unit 1150 may be in contact with the first support 1116a of the base 1210, and the second roller unit 1150 may be in contactwith the second support 1116 b of the base 1210.

When the bobbin 1110 is moved in the optical-axis direction, each of thefirst roller unit 1150 and the second roller unit 1160, which are incontact with the first and second supports 1116 a and 1116 b, mayperform rolling or rotation, thereby supporting movement of the bobbin1110 in the optical-axis direction and guiding movement of the bobbin1110 in the optical-axis direction.

Frictional force may act between the first and second roller units 1150and 1160 and the first and second supports 1116 a and 1116 b of the base1210, and the frictional force may be affected by the contact areabetween the first and second roller units 1150 and 1160 and the firstand second supports 1116 a and 1116 b. In other words, the larger thecontact area, the greater the frictional force.

Each of the first and second roller units 1150 and 1160 may include aplurality of rollers. For example, the number of rollers included ineach of the first and second roller units 1150 and 1160 may be two,three, four or more.

For example, the first roller unit 1150 may include three rollers P1 toP3, and the second roller unit 1160 may include three rollers Q1 to Q3.

Referring to FIG. 21, the first groove 1051 a may include a side surface1051 and a bottom 1052.

For example, the side surface 1051 of each of the first groove 1051 aand the second groove 1051 b may include first to third side surfaces1051-1 to 1051-3.

The first roller unit 1150 may be in contact with four regions of thefirst groove 1051 a, and the second roller unit 1501 b may be in contactwith four regions of the second groove 1501 b.

For example, the first roller unit 1150 may be in contact with tworegions of the first side surface 1051-1 and two regions of the secondside surface 51-1. The second roller unit 1160 may be in contact withtwo regions of the first side surface 1015-1 and two regions of thesecond side surface 51-2.

The bottom 1052 of the first groove 1051 a may have a predetermineddepth from the lower surface of the bobbin 1110 in the optical-axisdirection. For example, the bottom 1052 of the first groove 1051 a maybe positioned higher than the lower surface of the bobbin 1110 based onthe lower surface 1110.

The bottom 1052 of the first groove 1051 a may have formed therein agroove or a hole 1160 a.

Although the groove 1160 a may be a through hole, the disclosure is notlimited thereto.

The bottom 1052 of the first groove 1051 a may include a first bottom1052 a and a second bottom 1052 b, which are spaced apart from eachother, and the groove 1060 a may be disposed between the first bottom1052 a and the second bottom 1052 b.

By virtue of the groove 1060 a, the size of the surface area of theroller P3 that is in contact with the bottom 1052 of the first groove1051 a may be reduced, thereby reducing the frictional force between theroller P3 and the groove 1051 a in the bobbin 1110 and reducing thefrictional force between the roller P3 and the first support 1116 a.

For example, the first side surface 1051-1 of the first groove 1051 amay have formed therein the first opening 1061 a formed in the sidesurface 1110 c-1 of the bobbin 1110.

The first opening 1061 a may expose a portion or a surface of therollers P1 to P3 inserted or disposed in the first groove 1051 a.

The first opening 1061 a may have a size sufficient to allow the firstsupport 1116 a to be inserted thereinto.

For example, the horizontal length D21 of the first opening 1061 a maybe larger than the horizontal length D11 of the first support 1116 a(D21>D11), and the vertical length H21 of the first opening 1061 a maybe equal to or larger than the vertical length H11 of the first support1116 a (H21≥H11).

For example, the first support 1116 a may be inserted or disposed in thefirst opening 1061 a so as to be in contact with the rollers P1 to P3disposed in the first groove 1051 a but to be spaced apart from thebobbin 1110, for example, the first groove 1051 a.

For example, the second support 1116 b may be inserted or disposed inthe second opening 1061 b so as to be in contact with the rollers Q1 toQ3 disposed in the second groove 1051 b but to be spaced apart from thebobbin 1110, for example, the second groove 1051 b.

Although the roller P1 may have a cylindrical shape, the disclosure isnot limited thereto.

The length L of the roller P1 may be larger than the diameter R of theroller P1. For example, the ratio of the diameter R of the roller P1 tothe length L of the roller P1 may be 1:1.5˜1:5.

For example, the ratio (R:L) of the diameter to the length may also be1:2˜1:3.

For example, when the ratio (L/R) of the length to the diameter of theroller P1 is smaller than 1.5, an effect of preventing movement of thebobbin 110 in the x-axis direction or in the y-axis direction may bereduced.

When the ratio (L/R) of the length to the diameter of the roller P1 islarger than 5, the size of the bobbin 1110 for accommodating the rollermay be increased, and spatial interference with the magnet 1130 mayoccur.

The second groove 1051 b formed in the bobbin 1110 may also have thesame shape as the first groove 1051 a. The description regarding thefirst groove 1051 a shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 may also be applied to thesecond groove 1051 b.

For example, the second groove 1051 b may have a second opening 1061 b,and the bottom of the second groove 1051 b may have formed therein agroove having a through-hole shape.

The embodiment may further include a roller cover 1125, which isdisposed on the upper portion, the upper end or the upper surface of thebobbin 1110, in order to prevent the first roller unit 1150 and thesecond roller unit 1160 from being separated from the first groove 1051a and the second groove 1051 b. Here, the roller cover 1125 may bereferred to as “cover”, “support” or “separation-preventing portion”.

The roller cover 1125 may be disposed above the first groove 1051 a andthe second groove 1051 b in the bobbin 1110 to prevent the first rollerunit 1150 and the second roller unit 1160 from being separated from thefirst groove 1051 a and the second groove 1051 b.

The roller cover 1125 may cover at least a portion of the first groove1051 a and at least a portion of the second groove 1051 b.

At least a portion of the roller cover 1125 may overlap the rollers P1,P2 and P3 of the first roller unit 1150 in the optical-axis direction.

Another portion of the roller cover 1125 may overlap the rollers Q1, Q2and Q3 of the second roller unit 1160 in the optical-axis direction.

The bobbin 1110 may include a projection 1119 formed on the uppersurface thereof so as to support the roller cover 1125. Although theprojection 1119 may abut the upper portion of the inner surface of theopening 1101, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, the projection 1119 may include a curved portion 1119 aabutting the inner surface of the opening 1101 of the bobbin 1110, afirst extending portion 1119 b connected to one end of the curvedportion 1119 a and extending from the side surface 1110 b-2 of thebobbin 1110 toward the side surface 1110 b-4 of the bobbin 1110, and asecond extending portion 1119 c connected to the other end of the curvedportion 1119 a and extending from the side surface 1110 b-4 of thebobbin 1110 and extending toward the side surface 1110 b-2 of the bobbin1110.

Although each of the first and second extending portions 1119 b and 1119c may have a linear shape, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Inanother embodiment, the extending portion may have a curved shape.

The stopper 1111 may be positioned at the bobbin 1110 between theprojection 1119 of the bobbin 1110, for example, the curved portion 1119a and the side surface 1110 b-1 of the bobbin 1110.

Referring to FIG. 24, the roller cover 1125 may be disposed on the upperportion or the upper surface of the bobbin 1110. Although the rollercover 1125 may be, for example, an injection-molded plastic product, thedisclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the rollercover 1125 may be made of a magnetic body or metal.

For example, the roller cover 1125 may be disposed at a region (forexample, a second region) of the upper surface of the bobbin 1110abutting the second surface 1110 c-1 of the bobbin 1110 and anotherregion (for example, a third region) of the upper surface of the bobbin1110 abutting the third side surface 1110 c-2 of the bobbin 1110.

For example, the roller cover 1125 may also be disposed at anotherregion (for example, a first region), the second region and the thirdregion of the upper surface of the bobbin 1110, which abuts the firstside surface 1110 b-1 of the bobbin 1110.

The roller cover 1125 may include a curved portion 1125 a correspondingto the opening 1101 in the bobbin 1110, a first extending portion 1125 bconnected to one and of the curved portion 1125 a and extending from theside surface 1110 b-2 of the bobbin 1110 toward the side surface 1110b-4, and a second extending portion 1125 c connected to the other end ofthe curved portion 1119 a and extending from the side surface 1110 b-4of the bobbin 1110 toward the side surface 1110 b-2.

For example, the curved portion 1125 a of the roller cover 1125 maycorrespond to the curved portion 1119 a of the projection 1119 of thebobbin, and curved portion 1125 a and the curved portion 1119 a may bein contact with each other.

For example, the curved portion 1125 a of the roller cover 1125 mayinclude a curved surface or a curved side surface abutting the curvedportion 1119 a of the projection 1119.

For example, the first extending portion 1125 b of the roller cover 1125may correspond to the first extending portion 1119 b of the projection1119 of the bobbin 1110, and the two extending portions 1125 b and 119 bmay be in contact with each other.

For example, the second extending portion 1125 c of the roller cover1125 may correspond to the second extending portion 1119 c of theprojection 1119 of the bobbin 1110, and the two extending portions 1125c and 1119 c may be in contact with each other.

The curved portion 1125 a of the roller cover 1125 may have formedtherein a groove 1125-1 corresponding to the stopper 1111, and a portionof the stopper 1111 may be coupled to or inserted into the groove 1125-1in the roller cover 1125. Consequently, it is possible to increase thecontact area between the roller cover 1125 and the bobbin 1110 and thusthe binding force between the two components. The roller cover 1125 maybe attached or coupled to the bobbin 1110 using an adhesive member.

For example, the groove 1125-1 in the roller cover 1125 may bepositioned at the side surface opposite the curved surface (or thecurved side surface) abutting the curved portion 1119 a of theprojection 1119 of the roller cover 1125.

Another embodiment may include a first protrusion, disposed on the topplate of the cover member 1300 and positioned so as to correspond to thefirst groove 1051 a, and a second protrusion, positioned so as tocorrespond to the second groove 1051 b, in place of the roller cover1125.

Next, the magnet 1130 will be described.

The magnet 1130 may be disposed or mounted on the bobbin 1110.

For example, the magnet 1130 may be disposed on the side surface 1110b-1 of the bobbin 1110, for example, in the mounting recess 1102 formedin the outer surface of the first projection 118 a.

Although the magnet 1130 may have a shape corresponding to the sidesurface 1110 b-1 of the bobbin 1110, for example, a rectangularparallelepiped shape, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Although the magnet 1130 may be a bipolar magnetized magnet in order toincrease the drive force resulting from the electromagnetic interactionwith the coil 1120, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, the magnet 1130 may be a bipolar magnetized magnet, whichis divided into two poles in a direction perpendicular to the opticalaxis OA. Here, the magnet 1130 may be embodied by a ferrite magnet, analnico magnet, a rare-earth magnet or the like.

For example, the magnet 1130 may include a first magnet portion 31including an N pole and an S pole, a second magnet portion 32 includingan S pole and an N pole, and a non-magnetic partition wall 33.

The first magnet portion 31 and the second magnet portion 32 may bespaced apart from each other, and the non-magnetic partition wall 33 maybe positioned between the first magnet portion 31 and the second magnetportion 32.

The non-magnetic partition wall is a portion that is almost completelynon-magnetic and which may include a zone having almost no polarity. Thenon-magnetic partition wall may be filled with air or a non-magneticmaterial, and may be referred to as a “neutral zone”.

In another embodiment, the magnet 1130 may be a monopolar magnetizedmagnet including an S pole and an N pole.

Next, the base 1210 will be described.

FIG. 22 is a first perspective view of the base 1210 shown in FIG. 19.FIG. 23 is a second perspective view of the base 1210 shown in FIG. 19.

Referring to FIGS. 19, 22 and 23, the base 1210 may be coupled to thecover member 1300, and may define a space for accommodating the bobbin1110 in conjunction with the cover member 1300.

The base 1210 may have therein an opening 1301 corresponding to theopening in the cover member 1300 and/or the opening in the bobbin 1110.The base 1210 may have a shape that coincides with or corresponds tothat of the cover member 1300, for example, a square shape.

The base 1210 may include a body 1213 having therein the opening 1301and the posts 1216 a to 1216 d projecting from the body 1213.

The body 1213 of the base 1210 may include corner portions 1217 to 1217d and side portion 1218 a to 1218 d positioned between the cornerportions 1217 to 1217 d.

Each of the posts 1216 a to 1216 d may be disposed at a correspondingone of the corner portions 1217 to 1217 d of the body 1213.

For example, the base 1210 may include the first post 1216 a, projectingupwards a predetermined height from the first corner portion 1217 a, thesecond post 1216 b, projecting a predetermined height from the secondcorner portion 1217 b, the third post 1216 c, projecting a predeterminedheight from the third corner portion 1217 c, and the fourth post 1216 d,projecting a predetermined height from the fourth corner portion 1217 d.

The term “post” of the base 1210 may be interchangeably used with“projection”.

Although each of the posts 1216 a to 1216 d may have, for example, apolygonal column shape or a circular or elliptical column shapevertically projecting from the upper surface of the body 1213 of thebase 1210, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Although the cross section of each of the posts 1216 a to 1216 d mayhave an “L” shape or a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape, thedisclosure is not limited thereto.

Although the horizontal length of each of the side portion 218 a to 218d of the body 1213 of the base 1210 may be greater than the horizontallength of each of the corner portions 1217 to 1271 d of the body 1213 ofthe base 1210, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Openings may be defined between two adjacent posts 1216 a and 1216 b,1216 b and 1216 c, 1216 c and 1216 d, and 1216 d and 1216 a.

Although the height of each of the posts 1216 a to 1216 d from the uppersurface of the body 1214 of the base 1210 may be the same, thedisclosure is not limited thereto.

The base 1210 may include stoppers 1023 projecting from the uppersurface of the body 1213. Although at least one, for example, twostoppers 1023 may be disposed on each of the second side portion 1218 band the fourth side portion 1218 d, the positions and number thereof arenot limited thereto. Each of the stoppers 1023 may be referred to as a“lower stopper”.

The stopper 23 may prevent the lower surface or the lower end of thebobbin 1110 from directly colliding with the body 1213 of the base 1210.

The base 1210 may include stoppers 1031 disposed on the upper surfacesor the upper ends of the posts 1216 a to 1216 d. Each of the stoppers1031 may be referred to as an “upper stopper”.

For example, the stoppers 1031 of the base 1210 may be structuresprojecting from the upper surfaces of the posts 1216 a to 1216 d in theoptical-axis direction.

The stoppers 1031 of the base 1210 may serve to ensure a space or a gapin which the bobbin 1110 is movable during AF operation.

The lower end of the outer surface of the body 1213 of the base 1210 maybe provided with a step 1211. The step 1211 may be in contact with thelower ends of the side plates of the cover member 1300, and may guidethe cover member 1300. Here, the step 1211 of the base 1210 and thelower ends of the side plates of the cover member 1300 may be adhesivelyand sealably secured to each other using an adhesive or the like.

The base 1210 may include a first support 1116 a provided at the innersurface of the first post 1216 a and a second support 1116 b provided atthe inner surface of the second post 1216 b.

The first support 1116 a may project from the inner surface of the firstpost 1216 a, and the second support may project from the inner surfaceof the second post 1216 b.

Although the first support 1116 a may have the shape of a column, forexample, a semicircular column projecting from the inner surface of thefirst post 1216 a, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the firstsupport may have various column shapes.

Although the second support 1116 b may have the shape of a column, forexample, a semicircular column projecting from the inner surface of thesecond post 1216 b, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and thesecond support may have various column shapes.

For example, the inner surface of the first post 1216 a may be the sidesurface that faces the side surface 1110 c-1 of the bobbin 1110, and theinner surface of the second post 1216 b may be the side surface thatfaces the side surface 1110 c-2 of the bobbin 1110.

Although the first support 1116 a and the second support 1116 b may besymmetrical with respect to the first side portion 1218 a of the base1210, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 23, the first support 1116 a may extend to the uppersurface from the lower surface of the first post 1216 a. The upper endor the upper portion of the first support 1116 a may abut the uppersurface of the first post 1216 a and may be positioned in the same planeas the upper surface of the first post 1216 a ; however, the disclosureis not limited thereto.

The second support 1116 b may extend to the upper surface from the lowersurface of the second post 1216 b. The upper end or the upper portion ofthe second support 1116 b may abut the upper surface of the second post1216 b and may be positioned in the same plane as the upper surface ofthe second post 1216 b ; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the upper end or the upper portion of the firstsupport 1116 a may be spaced apart from the upper surface of the firstpost 1216 a. Furthermore, the lower end or the lower portion of thefirst support 1116 a may be spaced apart from the upper surface of thebody 1213 of the base 1210.

In another embodiment, the upper end or the upper portion of the secondsupport 1116 b may be spaced apart from the upper surface of the secondpost 1216 b. The lower end or the lower portion of the second support1116 b may be spaced apart from the upper surface of the body 1213 ofthe base 1210.

The base 1210 may include a first mounting recess 41 and a secondmounting recess 42 formed in the first and second posts 1216 a and 1216b and the body 1213.

Each of the first mounting recess 1041 and the second mounting recess1042 may have a stepped structure or a two-level structure based on theouter surface of the first and second posts 1216 a and 1216 b of thebase 1210.

The first mounting recess 1041 may be formed in the outer surfaces ofthe first and second posts 1216 a and 1216 b and the outer surface ofthe first side portion 1218 a of the body 1213 and may have a shape thatis identical to or coincides with that of the circuit board 1190.

The second mounting recess 1042 may be positioned in the first mountingrecess 1041, and may be formed in the outer surfaces of the first andsecond posts 1216 a and 1216 b and the outer surface of the first sideportion 1218 a. The second mounting recess 1042 may have a shape that isidentical to or coincides with that of the magnetic body 1195.

Next, the circuit board 1190 will be described.

The circuit board 1190 may be disposed at or secured to the base 1210.For example, the circuit board 1190 may be secured to the first andsecond posts 1216 a and 1216 b of the base 1210. Alternatively, thecircuit board 1190 may be disposed at or secured to the first and secondposts 1216 a and 1216 b and the first side portion 1218 a of the body1213.

For example, the circuit board 1190 may be disposed in the firstmounting recess 1041.

The circuit board 1190 may include terminals conductively connected tothe coil. The terminals of the circuit board may include a firstterminal 1091 and a second circuit board 1092. The terminals of thecircuit board 1190 may be disposed at the body 1213.

For example, the circuit board 1190 may be a printed circuit board or aflexible printed circuit board.

Next, the coil 1120 will be described.

The coil 1120 may be disposed, mounted or secured to the circuit board1190 so as to correspond to or face the magnet 1130. For example, thecoil 1120 may be disposed on the first surface of the circuit board1190, and the terminals 1091 and 1092 may be disposed on the secondsurface of the circuit board 1190.

The first surface of the circuit board 1190 may be the surface thatfaces the magnet 1130, and the second surface of the circuit board 1190may be the surface opposite the first surface of the circuit board 1190.

Although the coil 1120 may be secured or attached to the circuit board1190 using an adhesive member, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The coil 1120 may be positioned between the first post 1216 a and thesecond post 1216 b of the base 1210.

For example, the coil 1120 may be a ring-shaped coil ring. For example,the coil 1120 may have a ring shape in which the horizontal lengththereof is larger than the vertical length thereof.

In order to generate electromagnetic force resulting from theelectromagnetic interaction with the magnet 1130. Here, a drive signalapplied to the coil 1120 may be a DC signal and may be of a voltage typeor a current type. For example, the drive signal applied to the coil1120 may include at least one of a DC signal and an AC signal.

The coil 1120, to which the drive signal is applied, mayelectromagnetically interact with the magnet 1130 disposed at the bobbin1110, and the AF operation unit may be moved in the first direction bymeans of the electromagnetic force resulting from the electromagneticinteraction between the coil 1120 and the magnet 1130.

By controlling the intensity of the drive signal, it is possible tocontrol the movement of the AF operation unit in the first direction,and it is thus possible to perform an autofocusing function.

The AF operation unit may include the bobbin 1110 and components mountedon the bobbin 1110 and moved therewith. For example, the AF operationunit may include the bobbin 1110 and the magnet 1130.

The coil 1120 may be conductively connected to the first terminal 1091and the second terminal 1092 of the circuit board 1190. For example, thetwo ends of the coil 1190 may be conductively connected to pads (notshown) provided at the first surface, and the pads (not shown) may beconductively connected to a corresponding one of the first and secondterminals 1091 and 1092 of the circuit board 1190.

A drive signal may be applied to the coil 1120 via the first and secondterminals 1091 and 1092.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the lens moving apparatus 1100 from which thecover member 1300 is removed. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of thelens moving apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 24, taken along line A-B. FIG.26 is a cross-sectional view of the lens moving apparatus 1100 shown inFIG. 24, taken along line C-D.

Referring to FIG. 24, the center 1007 a of the opening 1101 in thebobbin 1110 may not be aligned with the center 1007 b of the base 1210or may not coincide with the center 1007 b of the base 1210.

For example, the center 1007 a of the opening 1101 in the bobbin 1110may be positioned farther than the center 1007 b of the base 1210 fromthe magnet 1130. For example, the center of a lens mounted on the bobbin1110 may be positioned farther than the center 1007 b of the base 1210from the magnet 1130.

For example, the center 1007 b of the base 1210 may be positionedbetween the center 1007 a of the opening 1101 in the bobbin 1110 and themagnet 1130.

The projections 1118 a to 1118 d of the bobbin 1110 may be positionedbetween the posts 1216 a to 1216 d of the base 1210.

For example, each of the projections 1118 a to 1118 d of the bobbin 1110may be positioned between two adjacent posts 1216 a and 1216 b, 1216 band 1216 c, 1216 c and 1216 d, and 1216 d and 1216 a. Since theprojections 1118 a to 1118 d of the bobbin 1110 are disposed in spacesbetween the posts 1216 a and 1216 b, 1216 b and 1216 c, 1216 c and 1216d, and 1216 d and 1216 a, it is possible to reduce or decrease the sizeof the lens moving apparatus 1100.

Each of the rollers P1 to P2 and Q1 to Q3 of the first and second rollerunits 1150 and 1160 may be in contact with the side surfaces 1051 of thefirst and second grooves 1051 a and 1051 b. For example, the outersurface of each of the rollers P1 to P2 and Q1 to Q3 may be in surfacecontact with the side surfaces 1051 of the first and second grooves 1051a and 1051 b.

In another embodiment, the side surfaces 1051 of the first and secondgrooves 1051 a and 1051 b may be provided with a plurality ofprotrusions. The plurality of protrusions may be in contact with theouter surfaces of the rollers P1 to P3 and Q1 to Q3.

FIGS. 30A to 30C are fragmentary perspective views of other embodiments1110A of the bobbin 1110.

Referring to FIGS. 30A to 30C, the side surface 1051 of the first groove1051 a in the bobbin 1110A may be provided with a plurality ofprotrusions 1014 a to 1014 c or 1014 d corresponding to the rollers P1to P3.

In FIG. 30A, the protrusions 1014 a, 1014 a and 1014 c may be disposedon the first side surface 1051-1 and the second side surface 1051-2 ofthe first groove 1051 a.

In FIG. 30B, the protrusions 1014 a, 1014 b and 1014 c may be disposedon the first to third side surfaces 1051-1, 1051-2 and 1051-3 of thefirst groove 1051 a.

In FIGS. 30A and 30B, each of the protrusions 1014 a, 1014 b and 1014 cmay have a hemispherical shape or a dome shape.

In FIG. 30C, each of the protrusions 1014 d may have a linear projectionshape, and the cross section thereof may have a semicircular shape or anarched shape.

The outer surface or the side surface of each of the rollers P1 to P3and Q1 to Q3 may be in contact with the plurality of protrusions 1014 ato 1014 d, but may be spaced apart from the first to third side surfaces1051-1, 1051-2 and 1051-3.

The side surface 1051 of the second groove 1051 b of the bobbin 1110Amay be provided with a plurality of protrusions corresponding to therollers Q1 to Q3. The description regarding the protrusions 1014 a to1014 d provided at the side surface 1051 of the first groove 1051 b inthe bobbin 1110A shown in FIGS. 30A to 30C will also applied to thesecond groove 1051 b in the bobbin 1110A.

In FIGS. 30A to 30C, since the rollers P1 to P3 and Q1 to Q3 may be inpoint or line contact with the protrusions 1014 a to 1014 d, thefrictional force between the bobbin 1110A and the rollers P1, P2 and P3shown in FIGS. 30A to 30C may be reduced compared to that between thebobbin 1110 and the rollers.

Referring to FIG. 25, at the initial position of the AF operation unit(for example, the bobbin 1110), the coil 1120 may overlap the magnet1130 in a direction toward the fourth post 1216 d from the first post1216 a.

Here, the initial position of the AF operation unit, for example, thebobbin 1110, may be the original position of the AF operation unit inthe state in which no electric power is applied to the coil 1120. Inaddition, the initial position of the AF operation unit may be theposition at which the AF operation unit is located when gravity acts inthe direction from the bobbin 1110 to the base 1210 or when gravity actsin the direction from the base 1210 to the bobbin 1110.

For example, in a direction toward the fourth post 1216 d from the firstpost 1216 a, an upper portion 1120-1 of the coil 1120 may overlap afirst magnet portion 1031 of the magnet 1130, a lower portion 1120-2 ofthe coil 1120 may overlap a second magnet portion 1032 of the magnet1130, and the space between the upper portion 1120-1 and the lowerportion 1120-2 of the coil 1120 may overlap a non-magnetic partition1033 of the magnet 1130.

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary enlarged view of FIG. 24. The description ofFIG. 27 may also be applied to the second roller unit 1160 and thesecond support 1116 b of the second post 1216 b.

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 27, the rollers P1 to P3 of the first rollerunit 1150 may be disposed so as to be inclined at a first angle θ11 withrespect to a first reference line 1501.

Furthermore, the rollers Q1 to Q3 of the second roller unit 1160 may bedisposed so as to be inclined at a second angle with respect to thefirst reference line.

Here, the first reference line 1501 may be an imaginary line (forexample, an x axis) parallel to the direction toward the second post1216 b from the first post 1216 a. For example, the first reference line1501 may extend through the point at which the rollers (for example, P1,P2 and P3) of the first roller unit 1150 meet the first support 1116 aof the base 1210. Alternatively, the first reference line may extendthrough the point at which the rollers (for example, Q1, Q2 and Q3) ofthe second roller unit 1160 meet the second support 1116 b of the base1210.

For example, the central axis 601 (see FIG. 6) of the roller (forexample, P1) of the first roller unit 1150 may be inclined at a firstangle (θ11) with respect to the first reference line 1501. Furthermore,the central axis of the roller (for example, Q1) of the second rollerunit 1160 may be inclined at a second angle with respect to the firstreference line.

For example, the first angle 811 may be an angle between the centralaxis 601 (see FIG. 4) of the roller (for example, P1) of the firstroller unit 1150 and the first reference line 1501, and the second anglemay be an angle between the roller (for example, Q1) of the secondroller unit 1160 and the first reference line.

For example, the first angle 811 may be an angle to which the centralaxis 601 of the roller (for example, P1) of the first roller unit 1150is rotated clockwise with respect to the first reference line 1501.

Furthermore, the second angle may be an angle to which the central axisof the roller (for example, Q1) of the second roller unit 1160 isrotated clockwise with respect to the first reference line.

For example, the central axis 601 of the roller (for example, P1) may bean axis that extends through the center of the roller (for example, P1)and is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the roller (forexample, P1). For example, the center of the roller (for example, P1)may be the diametric center of the roller. The description regarding thecentral axis 601 of the rollers (for example, P1, P2 and P3) of thefirst roller unit 1150 may be applied to the central axis of the rollers(for example, Q1, Q2 and Q3) of the second roller unit 1160.

Each of the rollers (for example, P1, P2 and P3) of the first rollerunit 1150 may be disposed such that the central axis 601 is disposed soas to be perpendicular to the optical axis OA, and may be rotated aboutthe optical axis.

Each of the rollers (for example, Q1, Q2 and Q3) of the second rollerunit 1160 may be disposed such that the central axis is disposed so asto be perpendicular to the optical axis OA, and may be rotated about theoptical axis.

The first angle 811 and the second angle may be different from eachother.

For example, the first angle θ11 may be 30°˜60% and the second angle maybe 120°˜150°. For example, the second angle may be a value obtained bysubtracting the first angle 811 from 180°.

For example, the first angle θ11 may be 40°˜50°.

For example, the first angle θ11 may be 43°˜47°.

For example, the first angle θ11 may be 45°.

When the first angle 74 11 is smaller than 40°, an effect of suppressingthe movement of the bobbin 1110 in the x-axis direction may be reduced.When the first angle θ11 is smaller than 40°, an effect of suppressingthe movement of the bobbin 1110 in the x-axis direction may be reduced.When the first angle θ11 is larger than 60°, an effect of suppressingthe movement of the bobbin 1110 in the y-axis direction may be reduced.

Since the rollers P1 to P3 of the first roller unit 1150 are disposed soas to be inclined at the first angle θ11 with respect to the firstreference line 1501 and the rollers Q1 to Q3 of the second roller unit1160 are disposed so as to be inclined at the second angle with respectto the first reference line, it is possible to suppress the movement ofthe bobbin 1110 in a direction parallel to the first reference line 1501(for example, in the x-axis direction) or in a direction parallel to thesecond reference line 1502 (for example, in the y-axis direction). Forexample, the second reference line 1502 may be an imaginary lineperpendicular to the first reference line 1501.

For example, when the first angle θ11 is 45° and the second angle is135°, the rollers P1 to P3 of the first roller unit 1150 and the rollersQ1, Q2 and Q3 of the second roller unit 1160 are able to suppress themovement of the bobbin 1110 in the x-axis direction and the y-axisdirection in a balanced manner.

For example, the central line 1503 of the first support 1116 a of thebase 1210 and the central axis 601 of the rollers (for example, P1, P2and P3) of the first roller unit 1150 may be perpendicular to eachother, and the central line of the second support 1116 b of the base1210 and the central axis of the rollers (for example, Q1, Q2 and Q3) ofthe second roller unit 1160 may be perpendicular to each other; however,the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The central line 1503 of the first support 1116 a may be a line thatextends through the point, at which the first support is in contact withthe rollers (for example, P1, P2 or P3), and divides the first support1116 a into two. For example, the central line 1503 of the first support1116 a may be a line that divides the first support 1116 a into twosymmetrical segments.

Furthermore, the central line of the second support 1116 b may be a linethat extends through the point, at which the second support is incontact with the rollers (for example, Q1, Q2 or Q3) and divides thesecond support 1116 b into two. For example, the central line of thesecond support 1116 b may be a line that divides the second support 1116b into two symmetrical segments.

In FIG. 27, the description regarding the disposition of the rollers P1to P3 of the first roller unit 1150 may also be applied to thedisposition of the rollers Q1 to Q3 of the second roller unit 1160.

Referring to FIG. 24, the first roller unit 1150 and the second rollerunit 1160 may be parallel to a direction toward the fourth post 1216 dfrom the first post 1216 a, and may be symmetrically disposed withrespect to the central line 1701 (see FIG. 24), which extends throughthe center of the opening 1101 in the bobbin 1110.

Next, the magnetic body 1195 will be described.

The magnetic body 1195 may be disposed at the base 1210 and may bepositioned under the coil 1120. Attractive force may act between themagnetic body 1195 and the magnet 1130.

For example, the magnetic body 1195 may be positioned lower than themagnet 1130 based on the lower surface of the base 1210, and may serveto suppress tilting of the bobbin 1110 during movement of the bobbin1110. The magnetic body 1195 may also be referred to as a “tiltsuppressor”, “tilt compensator” or “tilt controller” because themagnetic body suppresses the occurrence of tilting of the bobbin 1110.

In the lens moving apparatus 1100 according to the embodiment, becausethe magnet 1130 is disposed on only one side surface 1110 b-1 of thebobbin 1110 and only one coil 1120 is disposed so as to correspond tothe one magnet 1130, an imbalance in electromagnetic force may occurbetween the side surface (for example, 1110 b-1) of the bobbin 1110 onwhich the magnet 1130 is disposed, and the opposite side surface 1110b-3 thereof.

Owing to the imbalance in electromagnetic force, tilting of the bobbin1110 may occur during movement of the bobbin 1110. However, it ispossible to suppress the occurrence of tilting of the bobbin since themagnetic body 1195 is made of a material that is attracted to the magnet1130.

The magnetic body 1195 may be composed of a material that is attractedto a magnet, for example, a magnetic material (for example, a materialexhibiting magnetism).

In another embodiment, the magnetic body 1195 may be embodied by amaterial that is attracted to a magnet, for example, a metal material(for example, iron).

The magnetic body 1195 may be disposed on the outer surface of the base1210.

For example, the magnetic body 1195 may be disposed on the outersurfaces of the first and second posts 1216 a and 1216 b and the outersurface of the first side portion 218 a of the body 1213 of the base1210. For example, the magnetic body 1195 may be disposed in the secondmounting recess 1042.

The magnet body 1195 may have a plate shape.

For example, the magnet body 1195 may include a plate 1195-1 disposed onthe outer surface of the body 1213, a first extension 1195-2 disposed onthe outer surface of the first post 1216 a and extending upwards fromone end of the plate 1195-1, and a second extension 1195-3 disposed onthe outer surface of the second post 1216 b and extending upwards fromthe other end of the plate 1195-1.

The plate 1195-1 of the magnetic body 1195 may be disposed on the outersurface of the first side portion 218 a of the body 1213 of the base1210. For example, the magnetic body 1195 may be secured or attached tothe base 1210 using an adhesive member.

The first extension 1195-2 may be disposed on the side surface (forexample, the outer surface) of the first post 1216 a, and may extend ina direction toward the upper surface from the lower surface of the base1210.

The second extension 1195-3 may be disposed on the side surface (forexample, the outer surface) of the second post 1216 b, and may extend ina direction toward the upper surface from the lower surface of the base1210.

The first and second extensions 1195-2 and 1195-3 are capable ofincreasing the binding force between the magnet body 1195 and the base1210.

In order to increase the force acting between the magnet 1130 and themagnetic body 1195, the horizontal length L1 (see FIG. 1) of the plate1195-1 of the magnetic body 1195 may be larger than the horizontallength L2 (see FIG. 20) of the magnet 1130; however, the disclosure isnot limited thereto. In another embodiment, L1 may equal to L2.

Since attractive force acts between the magnet 1195 and the magnet 1130,it is possible to set the initial position of the bobbin 1110 even whena drive signal is not applied to the coil 1120.

For example, when a drive signal is not applied to the coil 1120, theforce acting between the magnetic body 1195 and the magnet 1130 maycause the bobbin 1110 to be disposed at the lowest position. Here, thelowest level of the bobbin 1110 may be the lowest position from the base210 within the range of displacement of the bobbin 1110. Here, thelowest position of the bobbin 1110 may be the initial position of thebobbin 1110.

For example, when a drive signal is not applied to the coil 1120, theforce acting between the magnetic body 1195 and the magnet 1140 may beequal to or larger than the force required to cause the bobbin 1110 tobe disposed at the lowest position.

Since it is possible to set the initial position of the bobbin 1110 bymeans of the attractive force acting between the magnetic body 1195 andthe magnet 1130, it is possible to perform accurate AF operation evenwithout an additional location sensor.

Since the center of the bobbin 1110 is not aligned with the center ofthe base and only one magnet 1130 is used, the embodiment is able toreduce the number of components.

Since the embodiment includes the rollers in place of a spring, theembodiment is able to reduce the amount of current that is consumedduring AF operation compared to a lens moving apparatus employing aspring. Furthermore, since the settling time is reduced, it is possibleto increase the speed of AF operation.

Since the magnetic body 1195 and the magnet 1130 are disposed at oneside portion 1218 a of the body 1213 of the base 1210, the embodiment isable to simultaneously perform both tilt compensation and driveoperation.

Since the rollers P1 to P3 of the first roller unit 1150 are inclined ata first angle with respect to the first reference line 1501 and therollers Q1 to Q3 of the second roller unit 1160 are inclined at a secondangle with respect to the first reference line, the embodiment is ableto suppress the movement of the bobbin 1110 in the x-axis direction andthe y-axis direction.

Although the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 to 27 does not include alocation sensor, the disclosure is not limited thereto. A lens movingapparatus according to another embodiment may include a location sensor.

FIG. 28 illustrates a location sensor 1170, which is additionallyprovided at the lens moving apparatus 1100. FIG. illustrates across-sectional view of the embodiment including the location sensor1170 shown in FIG. 28.

Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, the location sensor 1170 may be disposedor mounted on the circuit board 1190 and may be positioned in the spaceformed in the center of the coil 1120.

For example, the location sensor 1170 may be positioned in the spacebetween the upper portion 1120-1 and the lower portion 1120-2 of thecoil 1120.

For example, the location sensor 1170 may overlap the non-magneticpartition 1033 of the magnet 1130 in a direction toward the fourth post1216 d from the first post 1216 a.

The location sensor 1170 may detect the intensity of a magnetic field ofthe magnet 1130 mounted on the bobbin 1110 according to the movement ofthe bobbin 1110 and may output an output signal corresponding to thedetected intensity. The location sensor 1170 may be disposed on thefirst surface of the circuit board 1190. Here, the first surface of thecircuit board 1190 may be the surface on which the coil 1120 isdisposed.

The location sensor 1170 may be embodied as a drive-IC-type sensorincluding a hall sensor or may be embodied as only a single locationdetection sensor such as a hall sensor or the like.

For example, when the location sensor 1170 is embodied by only one hallsensor, the location sensor 1170 may include two input terminals and twooutput terminals.

The circuit board 1190 may be conductively connected to the locationsensor 1170.

For example, the four terminals of the location sensor 1170 may beconductively connected to the circuit board 1190.

The circuit board 1190 may include a plurality of terminals 91-1 to91-6, and some of the plurality of terminals may be conductivelyconnected to the four terminals of the location sensor 1170.

For example, the circuit board 1190 may include two terminals (forexample, 91-1 and 91-2) conductively connected to the coil 1120 and fourterminals (for example, 91-3 to 91-6) conductively connected to thelocation sensor 1170.

When the location sensor 1170 is a drive-IC-type sensor including a hallsensor, the circuit board 1190 may include four terminals conductivelyconnected to the location sensor 1170 because a drive signal is appliedto the coil 1120 from the location sensor 1170.

Since the embodiment is configured such that the first roller unit 1150and the second roller unit 1160 are disposed at the bobbin 1110, it ispossible to increase the amount of available space in the base 1210, andit is thus advantageous to realize desired lengths of the magnet 1130and the coil 1120.

Furthermore, when the location sensor 1170 is embodied by a locationsensor with a driver integrally formed therewith, it is possible toensure sufficient space to allow the location sensor with the driver tobe mounted therein.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a lens moving apparatus 2000 accordingto a further embodiment. FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of thelens moving apparatus 2000 shown in FIG. 31. FIG. 33 is across-sectional view of the lens moving apparatus 2000 of FIG. 31, takenalong line A-A′. FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the lens movingapparatus 2000 of FIG. 31, taken along line B-B′. FIG. 35 is aperspective view of a housing 2200, a coil 2300, a roller 2400, a shieldmember 2500 and a base 2600, which are shown in FIG. 35. FIG. 36 is aperspective view of the housing 2200, the coil 2300, the roller 2400 anda terminal 2600, which are shown in FIG. 32. FIG. 37 is a perspectiveview of the bobbin 2700 shown in FIG. 32. FIG. 38 is a perspective viewof the bobbin 2700, a first magnet 2810 and a second magnet 2820, whichare shown in FIG. 32. FIG. 39 is a plan view illustrating the lensmoving apparatus 2000 shown in FIG. 32 in which the roller 2400 is incontact with the base B of the housing 2200.

In the lens moving apparatus 2000 according to the embodiment, a lensmodule 2010 mounted on the bobbin 2700 is moved vertically (or in theoptical-axis direction) together with the bobbin 2700 so as to performan autofocusing function.

The lens moving apparatus 2000 may include a cover 2100, the housing2200, the roller 2400, the shield member 2500, the terminal 2600, thebobbin 2700 and a magnet 2800.

The cover 2100 may be an exterior member for the lens moving apparatus2000.

The cover 2100 may include a metal material. The cover 2100 may blockthe introduction of electromagnetic waves to the inside thereof from theoutside thereof or the radiation of electromagnetic waves to the outsidethereof from the inside thereof. Accordingly, the cover 2100 may bereferred to as a “shield can”. However, the material of the cover 2100is not limited thereto. In an example, the cover 2100 may include aplastic material.

The cover 2100 may include a top plate 2110 and side plates 2120. Thetop plate 2110 and the side plates 2120 of the cover 2100 may beintegrally formed.

The top plate 2110 of the cover 2100 may be configured to have the formof a square plate with rounded corners. A hole 2111 may be formed in thecenter of the top plate 2110 of the cover 2100 so as to be aligned withthe optical axis.

The side plates 2120 of the cover 2100 may extend downwards from theperipheral edge of the top plate 2110. The number of side plates 2120 ofthe cover 2100 may be plural.

The side plates 2120 of the cover 2100 may include a first side plateextending downwards from a first side of the top plate 2110, a secondside plate extending downwards from a second side of the top plate 2110,a third side plate extending downwards from a third side of the topplate 2110, and a fourth side plate extending downwards from a fourthside of the top plate 2110.

In other words, the cover 2100 may be configured to have the shape of arectangular parallelepiped with rounded corners and a hole formed in theupper surface thereof, and which is open at the lower surface thereof.The lower opening in the cover 2100 may be closed by means of the base Bof the housing 2200. When the cover 2100 is coupled to the housing 2200,the lower surfaces of the side plates 2120 of the cover 2100 may be incontact with (may face) the upper surface of the base B of the housing2200. An adhesive is applied (disposed) to the contact regions at whichthe lower surfaces of the side plates 2120 of the cover 2100 are incontact with the upper surface of the base B of the housing 220 orregions between the lower surfaces of the side plates 2120 of the cover2100 and the upper surface of the base B.

The internal space defined between the cover 2100 and the base B of thehousing 2200 may accommodate therein the remaining portion of thehousing 2200, the coil 2300, the roller 2400, the shield member 2500,the terminal 2600, the bobbin 2700 and the magnet 2800.

Among the plurality of side plates 2120 of the cover 2100, the sideplate that faces the coil 2300 is provided therein with aterminal-exposing portion 2121. The terminal-exposing portion 2121 maybe formed upwards from the lower end of the side plate that faces thecoil 2300 among the plurality of side plates 2120.

A second-of-first terminal portion 2612 and a second-of-second terminalportion 2622 of the terminal 2600 may be exposed to the outside throughthe terminal-exposing portion 2121.

The housing 2200 may be disposed inside the cover 2100. The housing 2200may be disposed under the cover 2100. The bobbin 2700 may be disposed inthe housing 2200.

The coil 2300, the roller 2400, the shield member 2500 and the terminal2600 may be disposed in the housing 2200. The housing 2200 may include aplastic material. The housing 2200 may be an injection-molded plasticproduct.

The housing 2200 may include the base B, a first post C1, a second postC2, a third post C3, a fourth post C4, a first connector 2210, a secondconnector 2220, a first side wall 2230, a second side wall 2240, a thirdside wall 2250, a first holder 2211, a second holder 2212, aterminal-receiving portion 2221, a first stopper 2231, a second stopper2251, a first shield wall 2241, a second shield wall 2242, a support2243, a first stepped portion 2244, a second stepped portion 2245, afirst contact 2246 and a second contact 2247.

The base B of the housing 2200 may be disposed under the cover 2100. Thebase B of the housing 2200 may be coupled to the cover 2100. The base Bof the housing 2200 may support the cover 2100. Here, the lower surfacesof the plurality of side plates of the cover 2100 may be in contact withthe upper surface of the base B. The base B of the housing 2200 may havethe approximate form of a square plate.

The first post C1, the second post C2, the third post C3 and the fourthpost C4 of the housing 2200 may be respectively disposed at the fourcorners of the base B. The first post C1, the second post C2, the thirdpost C3 and the fourth post C4 of the housing 2200 may project upwardsfrom the base B. The first post C1, the second post C2, the third postC3 and the fourth post C4 of the housing 2200 may be spaced apart fromone another. The first post C1, the second post C2, the third post C3and the fourth post C4 of the housing 2200 may be positioned so as tocorrespond one to each of the four corners of the base B.

The first post C1 of the housing 2200 may be provided with the firstholder 2211 projecting outwards. The second post C2 of the housing 2200may be provided with a second holder 2212 projecting outwards.

The first holder 2211 and the second holder 2212 of the housing 2200 maybe disposed in the space defined between the first coil portion 2310,the second coil portion 2320, the third coil portion 2330 and the fourthcoil portion 2340 of the coil 2300 so as to hold the coil 2300.

The first connector 2210 and the second connector 2220 of the housing2200 may be positioned between the first post C1 and the second post C2.The first connector 2210 and the second connector 2220 of the housing2200 may connect the first post C1 to the second post C2.

The first connector 2210 of the housing 2200 may be positioned above thesecond connector 2220. The second connector 2220 of the housing 2200 maybe positioned under the first connector 2210.

The first connector 2210 of the housing 2200 may connect the upper endof the first post C1 to the upper end of the second post C2. The secondconnector 2220 of the housing 2200 may connect the lower end of thefirst post C1 to the lower end of the second post C2. The firstconnector 2210 and the second connector 2220 may be positioned outsidethe first post C1 and the second post C2. In other words, the firstconnector 2210 and the second connector 2220 of the housing 2200 mayconnect the outer surface of the first post Cl to the outer surface ofthe second post C2.

The coil 2300 may be positioned between the first connector 2210 and thesecond connector 2220 of the housing 2200. The lower surface of thefirst connector 2210 of the housing 2200 may be in contact with theupper surface of the first coil portion 2310. An adhesive may bedisposed at the contact region in which the first connector 2210 of thehousing 2200 is in contact with the coil 2300.

The terminal 2600 may be disposed between the second connector 2220 ofthe housing 2200 and the coil 2300. A first-of-first terminal portion2611 and a first-of-second terminal portion 2621 may be disposed betweenthe upper surface of the second connector 2220 of the housing 2200 andthe lower surface of the second coil portion 2320.

The terminal-receiving portion 2221 may be formed in the center of thesecond connector 2220 of the housing 2200. The terminal-receivingportion 2221 may be formed inwards from the outer surface of the secondconnector 2220. The terminal-receiving portion 2221 may be positioned soas to directly face the terminal-exposing portion in the cover 2100. Theterminal-receiving portion 2221 may extend the lower end of the base Bfrom the second connector 2220 of the housing 2200.

The second-of-first terminal portion 2612 and the first-of-secondterminal portion 2622 may be disposed in the terminal-receiving portion2221 in the housing 2200. Here, the inner surfaces of thesecond-of-first terminal portion 2612 and the first-of-second terminalportion 2622 may face the terminal-receiving portion 2221 and may be incontact therewith. The outer surfaces of the second-of-first terminalportion 2612 and the first-of-second terminal portion 2622 may beexposed to the outside through the terminal-exposing portion 2121 in thecover 2100.

The first side wall 2230 of the housing 2200 may be positioned betweenthe second post C2 and the third post C3. The first side wall 2230 ofthe housing 2200 may connect the second post C2 to the third post C3.The first side wall 2230 of the housing 2200 may face the third sidewall 270, with the bobbin 2700 interposed therebetween. The first sidewall 2230 of the housing 2200 may be provided at the center thereof witha first stopper 2231 projecting inwards.

The first stopper 2231 of the housing 2200 may face a second stopper2251 with the bobbin 2700 interposed therebetween. The first stopper2231 of the housing 2200 may take the form of a semicircular columnextending vertically. In other words, the inner surface of the firststopper 2231 of the housing 2200 may be provided with a curvature. Thehorizontal section of the first stopper 2231 may have a semicircularshape.

The first stopper 2231 of the housing 2200 may be received in a firstgroove 2720 in the bobbin 2700. The first stopper 2231 of the housing2200 may have a shape corresponding to the first groove 2720 in thebobbin 2700. The first stopper 2231 of the housing 2200 may be spacedapart from the bobbin 2700 by a predetermined distance. When tilting ofthe bobbin 2700 occurs, the first stopper 2231 of the housing 2200 maycome into contact with the bobbin 2700, thereby preventing tilting ofthe bobbin 2700.

The second side wall 2240 of the housing 220 may be positioned betweenthe third post C3 and the fourth post C4. The second side wall 2240 ofthe housing 2200 may connect the third post C3 to the fourth post C4.The second side wall 2240 of the housing 2200 may face the firstconnector 2210 and the second connector 2220 with the bobbin 2700interposed therebetween. The inner surface of the second side wall 2240of the housing 2200 may be provided with the roller 2400.

The shield member 2500 may be disposed on the second side wall 2240.

The outer surface of the second side wall 2240 of the housing 2200 maybe provided with a third magnet 2830.

The third post C3 of the housing 2200 may be provided with the firstshield wall 2241, which projects toward the fourth post C4 from thethird post C3. The first shield wall 2241 may be positioned inside thesecond side wall 2240. The first shield wall 2241 may be spaced apartfrom the second side wall 2240 of the housing 2200.

One end of the roller 2400 may be positioned between the first shieldwall 2241 of the housing 2200 and the second side wall 2240. The outersurface of the first shield wall 2241 may be in contact with the roller2400. As illustrated in (1) of FIG. 39, the outer surface of the firstshield wall 2241 may be planar. As a result, the outer surface of thefirst shield wall 2241 and the roller 2400 may be in line contact witheach other at the same level (in the vertical section). Alternatively,as illustrated in (2) of FIG. 29, the outer surface of the first shieldwall 2241 may be convex toward the roller 2400. As a result, the outersurface of the first shield wall 2241 and the roller 2400 may in pointcontact with each other at the same level (in the vertical section).

The fourth post C4 of the housing 2200 may be provided with the secondshield wall 2242, which projects toward the third post C3 from thefourth post C4. The second shield wall 2242 may be positioned inside thesecond side wall 2240. The second shield wall 2242 of the housing 2200may be spaced apart from the second side wall 2240. The other end of theroller 2400 may be positioned between the second shield wall 2242 of thehousing 2200 and the second side wall 2240. The outer surface of thesecond shield wall 2242 may be in contact with the roller 2400. Asillustrated in (1) of FIG. 39, the outer surface of the second shieldwall 2242 may be planar. As a result, the outer surface of the secondshield wall 2242 and the roller 2400 may be in line contact with eachother at the same level (in the vertical section).

Alternatively, as illustrated in (2) of FIG. 39, the outer surface ofthe second shield wall 2242 may be convex toward the roller 2400. As aresult, the outer surface of the second shield wall 2242 and the roller2400 may be in point contact with each other at the same level (in thevertical section).

The base B of the housing 2200 may be provided with a support 2243projecting upwards. The support 2243 may be positioned inside the secondside wall 2240 of the housing 2200.

The support 2243 may be positioned under the roller 2400. The uppersurface of the support 2243 may be in contact with the roller 2400 so asto support the roller 2400. The upper surface of the support 2243 may bein contact with a first roller 2410 so as to support the first roller2410.

The upper surface of the third post C3 of the housing 2200 may beprovided with the first stepped portion 2244 depressed downwards. Thefirst stepped portion 2244 may be positioned between the second sidewall 2240 and the first shield wall 2241.

The upper surface of the fourth post C4 of the housing 2200 may beprovided with the second stepped portion 2245 depressed downwards. Thesecond stepped portion 2245 may be positioned between the second sidewall 2240 of the housing 2200 and the second shield wall 2242 of thehousing 2200.

The shield member 2500 may be disposed on the first stepped portion 2244and the second stepped portion 2245 of the housing 2200. Here, a firstshield portion 2510 of the shield member 2500 may be disposed on thefirst stepped portion 2244. A second shield portion 2520 of the shieldmember 2500 may be disposed on the second stepped portion 2245.

The second side wall 2240 of the housing 2200 may be provided with thefirst contact 2246, which projects toward one end of the roller 2400from the inner surface of the second side wall 2240. The first contact2246 may be in contact with the roller 2400. The first contact 2246 mayextend vertically. As illustrated in (1) of FIG. 39, the outer surfaceof the first contact 2246 may be planar. As a result, the outer surfaceof the first contact 2246 and the roller 2400 may be in contact witheach other at the same level (in the vertical section).

Alternatively, as illustrated in (2) of FIG. 39, the outer surface ofthe first contact 2246 may be convex toward one end of the roller 2400.In other words, the first contact 2246 may have a semicircular columnshape. As a result, the outer surface of the first contact 2246 and theroller 2400 may be in point contact with each other at the same level(in the vertical section).

The second side wall 2240 of the housing 2200 may be provided with thesecond contact 2247, which projects toward the other end of the roller2400 from the inner surface of the second side wall 2240. The secondcontact 2247 may be in contact with the roller 2400.

The second contact 2247 may project vertically. As illustrated in (1) ofFIG. 39, the outer surface of the second contact 2247 may be planar. Asa result, the outer surface of the second contact 2247 and the roller2400 may be in line contact with each other at the same level (in thevertical section). Alternatively, as illustrated in (2) of FIG. 39, theouter surface of the second contact 2247 may be convex toward the otherend of the roller 2400. In other words, the second contact 2247 may havea semicircular column shape. As a result, the outer surface of thesecond contact 2247 and the roller 2400 may be in point contact witheach other at the same level (in the vertical section).

The third side wall 2250 of the housing 2200 may be positioned betweenthe fourth post C4 and the first post C1. The third side wall 2250 ofthe housing 2200 may connect the fourth post C4 to the first post C1.The third side wall 2250 of the housing 2200 may face the first sidewall 2230 with the bobbin 2700 interposed therebetween. The third sidewall 2250 of the housing 2200 may be provided at the center thereof withthe second stopper 2251 projecting inwards.

The second stopper 2251 may face the first stopper 2231 with the bobbin2700 interposed therebetween. The second stopper 2251 may have asemicircular column shape extending vertically. In other words, theinner surface of the second stopper 2251 may be formed with a curvature.The horizontal section of the second stopper 2251 may have asemicircular shape.

The second stopper 2251 of the housing 220 may be received in a secondgroove 2730 in the bobbin 2700. The second stopper 2251 of the housing2200 may have a shape corresponding to that of the second groove 2730 inthe bobbin 2700. The second stopper 2251 of the housing 2200 may bespaced apart from the bobbin 2700 by a predetermined distance. Whentilting of the bobbin 2700 occurs, the second stopper 2251 of thehousing 2200 may come into contact with the bobbin 2700, therebypreventing tilting of the bobbin 2700.

The coil 2300 may be disposed at the housing 2200. The coil 2300 may bedisposed on the outer surfaces of the first post C1 and the second postC2 of the housing 2200. At least a portion of the coil 2300 may beexposed to the inside of the housing 2200 through the opening definedbetween the first post C1 and the second post C2.

The coil 2300 may be disposed such that the portion of the coil 2300that is exposed to the inside of the housing 2200 directly faces themagnet 2800. The coil 2300 may face the roller 2400 with the bobbin 2700interposed therebetween. The coil 2300 may be positioned between thefirst connector 2210 and the second connector 2220.

The coil 2300 may be held by the first holder 2211 and the second holder2212 of the housing 2200.

The coil 2300 may be conductively connected to the terminal 2600. Here,one lead wire of the coil 2300 may be conductively connected to thefirst-of-first terminal portion 2611 of the first terminal 2610, and theother lead wire of the coil 2300 may be conductively connected to thefirst-of-second terminal portion 2621 of the second terminal 2620.

In place of the circuit board 190, 1190 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 19,the first terminal 2610 and the second terminal 2620 of the terminal 600illustrated in FIGS. 32 and may be disposed at the base 210, 1210. Here,the description regarding the first-of-first terminal portion 2611 ofthe first terminal 2610 and the first-of-second terminal portion 2621 ofthe second terminal 2620 of the terminal 600 illustrated in FIGS. 32 and36 may be applied.

When current is applied to the coil 2300, the coil 2300 mayelectromagnetically interact with the first magnet 2810 of the magnet2800, thereby providing force required for AF operation to the bobbin2700. Here, the current is supplied to the coil 2300 from a substrate2030 (see FIG. 41) via the terminal 2600. The intensity, wavelength,direction or the like of the current applied to the coil 2300 may becontrolled.

The coil 2300 may include the first coil portion 2310, the second coilportion 2320, the third coil portion 2330 and the fourth coil portion2340.

The first coil portion 2310 may be positioned above the second coilportion 2320. The first coil portion 2310 may extend toward the outersurface of the second post C2 from the outer surface of the first postC1.

The second coil portion 2320 may be positioned under the first coilportion 2310. The second coil portion 2320 may extend toward the outersurface of the first post C1 from the outer surface of the second postC2 of the housing 2200.

The third coil portion 2330 may connect one end of the first coilportion 2310 to one end of the second coil portion 2320. The fourth coilportion 2340 may connect the other end of the first coil portion 2310 tothe other end of the second coil portion 2320. Consequently, the coil2300 may have a ring shape.

The roller 2400 may be disposed at the housing 2200. The roller 2400 maybe positioned inside the second side wall 2240 of the housing 2200. Theroller 2400 may be positioned between the third post C3 and the fourthpost C4 of the housing 2200. The roller 2400 may face the coil 2300 withthe bobbin 2700 interposed therebetween. The roller 2400 may face thethird magnet 2830 with the second side wall 2240 interposedtherebetween.

The roller 2400 may be disposed between the second magnet 2820 and thethird magnet 2830. One end of the roller 400 may be positioned betweenthe second side wall 2240 and the first shield wall 2241 of the housing2200. The other end of the roller 2400 may be disposed between thesecond side wall 2240 and the second shield wall 2242 of the housing2200.

The roller 2400 may include a plastic material. The roller 2400 may bean injection-molded plastic product.

One end of the roller 2400 may be in contact with the first contact 2246of the second side wall 2240 of the housing 2200 and may be supportedthereby. One end of the roller 2400 may be in contact with the outersurface of the first shield wall 2241 of the housing 2200 and may besupported thereby.

The other end of the roller 2400 may be in contact with the secondcontact 2247 of the second side wall 2240 of the housing 2200 and may besupported thereby. The other end of the roller 2400 may be in contactwith the outer surface of the second shield wall 2241 of the housing2200 and may be supported thereby. The intermediate portion of theroller 2400 may be in contact with a third contact 2740 and a fourthcontact 2750 of the bobbin 2700. Here, the roller 2400 may support thebobbin 2700.

The roller 2400 may have a circular cylindrical shape. The axis of theroller 2400 may extend to the fourth post C4 from the third post C3 ofthe housing 2200. The roller 2400 may have a curved surface, which isconfigured to be rotated about the axis extending to the fourth post C4from the third post C3 of the housing 2200. The roller 2400 may have acurved surface, which is configured to be circumferentially disposedabout the axis extending to the fourth post C4 from the third post C3 ofthe housing 2200. Accordingly, the roller 2400 is capable not only ofguiding the bobbin 2700 in the vertical direction but also of supportingthe bobbin 2700 in the horizontal direction when the bobbin 2700 ismoved vertically (in an up-and-down direction).

The support 2243 of the housing 2200 may be positioned under the roller2400. The shield member 2530 may be positioned above the roller 2400.

The roller 2400 may include a plurality of rollers. In an example, thenumber of rollers 2400 may be three. The roller 2400 may include a firstroller 2410, a second roller 2420, and a third roller 2430, which arelayered vertically.

The first roller 2410 may be in contact with the support 2243 and may besupported thereby. The shield member 2500 may be positioned above thethird roller 2430. Accordingly, the shield member 2500 is capable ofpreventing the roller 2400 from being moved upwards and separated fromthe housing 2200 together with the bobbin 2700.

The shield member 2500 may be disposed at the housing 2200. The shieldmember 2500 may be disposed above the roller 2400. The shield member2500 may be disposed above the third roller 2430. The lower surface ofthe shield member 2500 may face the roller 2400. The shield member 2500may have a plate shape. The shield member 2500 may include a firstshield portion 2510, a second shield portion 2520 and a third shieldportion 2530.

The first shield portion 2510 of the shield member 2500 may be disposedon the third post C3 of the housing 2200. The first shield portion 2510of the shield member 2500 may be disposed on the first stepped portion2244 of the housing 2200. The lower surface of the first shield portion2510 of the shield member 2500 may be in contact with the upper surfaceof the first stepped portion 2244 of the housing 2200.

The second shield portion 2520 of the shield member 2500 may be disposedon the fourth post C4 of the housing 2200. The second shield portion2520 of the shield member 2500 may be disposed on the second steppedportion 2245 of the housing 2200. The lower surface of the secondstepped portion 2520 of the shield member 2500 may be in contact withthe upper surface of the second stepped portion 2245 of the housing2200.

The third shield portion 2530 of the shield member 2500 may connect thefirst shield portion 2510 to the second shield portion 2520. The thirdshield portion 2530 of the shield member 2500 may be disposed on thesecond side wall 2240 of the housing 2200. The lower surface of thethird shield portion 2530 of the shield member 2500 may be in contactwith the upper surface of the second side wall 2240 of the housing 2200.

The terminal 2600 may be disposed at the housing 2200. The terminal 2600may be disposed between the second connector 2220 of the housing 2200and the coil 2300. The terminal 2600 may be conductively connected tothe coil 2300. The terminal 2600 may be conductively connected to thesubstrate 2030 of the camera module. The terminal 2600 may include anelectrical conductive material. The terminal 2600 may include a magneticmaterial. The terminal 2600 may include metal.

The terminal 2600 may serve to supply current to the coil 2300.

Because the terminal is magnetic, attractive force may act between theterminal 2600 and the first magnet 2810 of the magnet 2800. As a result,the terminal 2600 may prevent tilting of the bobbin 2700. In an example,when vertical drive force is generated at the bobbin 2700 due to theelectromagnetic interaction between the coil 2300 and the first magnet2810, a moment may be generated at the bobbin 2700 because the firstmagnet 2810 is eccentrically disposed at one side of the bobbin 2700. Inthis case, since the bobbin 2700 is correctly positioned by theattractive force acting between the terminal 2600 and the first magnet2810, it is possible to prevent tilting of the bobbin.

The terminal 2600 may include the first terminal 2610 and the secondterminal 2620. The first terminal 2610 and the second terminal 2620 maybe spaced apart from each other. Here, the first terminal 2610 may bedisposed at the first post C1 of the housing 2200 in an imbalancedmanner, and the second terminal 2620 may be disposed at the second postC2 of the housing 2200 in an imbalanced manner.

The first terminal 2610 may include the first-of-first terminal portion2611 and the second-of-first terminal portion 2612. The first-of-firstterminal portion 2611 may have a plate shape and may be positionedbetween the coil 2300 and the second connector 2220. The second-of-firstterminal portion 2612 may extend downwards from the first-of-firstterminal portion 2611 and may be disposed in the terminal-receivingportion 2221.

The first-of-first terminal portion 2611 may be conductively connectedto one lead wire of the coil 2300. The second-of-first terminal portion2612 may be conductively connected to the substrate 2030 of the cameramodule 2001.

The second terminal 2620 may include the first-of-second terminalportion 2621 and the second-of-second terminal portion 2622. Thefirst-of-second terminal portion 2621 may have a plate shape and may bepositioned between the coil 2300 and the second connector 2220. Thesecond-of-second terminal portion 2622 may extend downwards from thefirst-of-second terminal portion 2621, and may be disposed in theterminal-receiving portion 2221. The first-of-second terminal portion2621 may be conductively connected to the other lead wire of the coil2300. The second-of-second terminal portion 2622 may be conductivelyconnected to the substrate 2030 of the camera module 2001.

The bobbin 2700 may be positioned inside the housing 2200. The bobbin2700 may have the form of a block having a hole 2710 vertically formedin the center thereof. The lens module 2010 of the camera module 2001may be mounted in the bobbin 2700. The magnet 2800 may be disposed atthe bobbin 2700. The bobbin 2700 may include a plastic material. Thebobbin 2700 may be an injection-molded plastic product.

The bobbin 2700 may be moved vertically (in an up-and-down direction) soas to perform an AF function by the electromagnetic interaction betweenthe coil 2300 and the first magnet 2810. Here, the bobbin 2700 may besupported by the roller 2400, and may be guided vertically.

The bobbin 2700 may include the hole 2710, the first groove 2720, thesecond groove 2730, the first contact 2740, the second contact 2750, amagnet-receiving portion 2760 and an upper stopper 2770.

The surface of the bobbin 2700 that corresponds to the first side wall2230 of the housing 2200 may be provided with the first groove 2720. Thefirst groove 2720 may be formed inwards from the outer surface of thebobbin 2700. The first stopper 2231 of the housing 2200 may be receivedin the first groove 2720.

The surface of the bobbin 2700 that corresponds to the third side wall2250 of the housing 2200 may be provided with the second groove 2730.The second groove 2730 may be formed inwards from the outer surface ofthe bobbin 2700. The second stopper 2251 of the housing 2200 may bereceived in the second groove 2730.

The surface of the bobbin 2700 that corresponds to the second side wall2240 of the housing 2200 may be provided with the third contact 2740 andthe fourth contact 2750.

The third contact 2740 of the bobbin 2700 may project from the outersurface of the bobbin 2700 toward the portion between the center and oneend of the roller 2400. The third contact 2740 of the bobbin 2700 may bein contact with the roller 2400.

The third contact 2740 of the bobbin 2700 may extend vertically. Theouter surface of the third contact 2740 of the bobbin 2700 may be convextoward the roller 2400. In other words, the third contact 2740 of thebobbin 2700 may have a semicircular column shape. As a result, the outersurface of the third contact 2740 of the bobbin 2700 and the roller 2400may be in point contact with each other at the same level (in thevertical section).

In a modification (not shown), the outer surface of the third contact ofthe bobbin 2700 may be planar. As a result, the outer surface of thethird contact of the bobbin 2700 and the roller 2400 may be in linecontact with each other at the same level (in the vertical direction).

The fourth contact 2750 of the bobbin 2700 may project from the outersurface of the bobbin 2700 toward a portion between the center and theother end of the roller 2400. The fourth contact 2750 of the bobbin 2700may be in contact with the roller 2400. The fourth contact 2750 of thebobbin 2700 may extend vertically. The outer surface of the fourthcontact 2750 of the bobbin 2700 may be convex toward the roller 2400. Inother words, the fourth contact 2750 of the bobbin 2700 may have asemicircular column shape. As a result, the outer surface of the fourthcontact 2750 of the bobbin 2700 and the roller 2400 may be in pointcontact with each other at the same height (in the vertical section).

In a modification (not shown), the outer surface of the fourth contactof the bobbin 2700 may be planar. As a result, the outer surface of thefourth contact of the bobbin 2700 and the roller 2400 may be in linecontact with each other at the same level (in the vertical section).

The third contact 2740 and the fourth contact 2750 of the bobbin 2700may be spaced apart from each other, and may be positioned between thefirst shield wall 2241 and the second shield wall 2242 of the housing2200.

The third contact 2740 of the bobbin 2700 may be positioned close to oneend of the roller 2400, and the fourth contact 2750 may be positionedclose to the other end of the roller 2400.

The surface of the bobbin 2700 that faces the coil 2300 may be providedtherein with the magnet-receiving portion 2760. The magnet-receivingportion 2760 may be formed inwards from the outer surface of the bobbin2700. The first magnet 2810 may be disposed in the magnet-receivingportion 2760.

The upper surface of the bobbin 2700 may be provided with the upperstopper 2770, which projects upwards. When the bobbin 2700 is movedupwards, the upper stopper 2770 may come into contact with the top plate2110 of the cover 2100, thereby blocking the upward movement of thebobbin 2700. The upper stopper 2770 may include a plurality of stoppers.In an example, there may be four upper stoppers 2770, and the four upperstoppers 2770 may be circumferentially spaced apart from each otheraround the hole 2710 in the bobbin.

The magnet 2800 may be disposed at the bobbin 2700 and the housing 2200.The magnet 2800 may serve to provide drive force to the bobbin 2700, toprevent tilting of the bobbin 2700 and to maintain the contact betweenthe bobbin 2700 and the roller 2400.

The magnet 2800 may include the first magnet 2810, the second magnet2820 and the third magnet 2830.

The first magnet 2810 may be disposed at the bobbin 2700. The firstmagnet 2810 may be disposed at the surface of the bobbin 2700 that facesthe first connector 2210 and the second connector 2220 of the housing2200. The first magnet 2810 may be received in the magnet-receivingportion 860. The first magnet 2810 may directly face the coil 2300.

The first magnet 2810 electromagnetically interacts with the coil 2300to provide drive force to the bobbin 2700. Accordingly, the first magnet2810 may be referred to as a “drive magnet”. Attractive force may actbetween the first magnet 2810 and the terminal 2600, thereby preventtilting of the bobbin 2700.

The first magnet 2810 may include a first magnet portion 2811, a secondmagnet portion 2812 and a third magnet portion 2813. The first magnetportion 2811 may be vertically spaced apart from the second magnetportion 2812. The third magnet portion 2813 may be positioned betweenthe first magnet portion 2811 and the second magnet portion 2812.

The first magnet portion 2811 may directly face the first coil portion2310. The second magnet portion 2812 may directly face the second coilportion 2320. The orientation of the polarities of the first magnetportion 2811 and the second magnet portion 2812 (the orientation of an Npole and an S pole) may be different from each other (opposite eachother).

The reason for this is because the direction in which current flowsalong the first coil portion 2310 and the direction in which currentflows along the second coil portion 2320 are different from each other.As a result, drive force in the same direction may be generated evenwhen the direction in which current flows along the first coil portion2310 and the direction in which current flows along the second coilportion 2320 are different from each other.

The polarities of the first magnet portion 2811 and the second magnetportion 2812 may be disposed at the outside and the inside. In anexample, the inside of the first magnet portion 2811 may be an N pole,the outside of the first magnet portion 2811 may be an S pole, theinside of the second magnet portion 2812 may be an S pole, and theoutside of the second magnet portion 2812 may be an N pole.

The third magnet portion 2813 may be disposed between the first magnetportion 2811 and the second magnet portion 2812. The third magnetportion 2813 may have no polarity. In other words, the polarity of thethird magnet portion 2813 may be neutral.

The second magnet 2820 may be disposed at the bobbin 2700. The secondmagnet 2820 may be disposed on the surface of the bobbin 2700 that facesthe second side wall 2240 of the housing 2200.

The second magnet 700 may directly face the roller 2400. The secondmagnet 2820 may be disposed between the third contact 2740 and thefourth contact 2750 of the bobbin 2700. The second magnet 2820 may beprevented from coming into contact with the roller 2400 (may be spacedapart from the roller) by the third contact 2740 and the fourth contact2750.

The second magnet 2820 may face the third magnet 2830 with the roller2400 and the second side wall 2240 of the housing 2200 interposedtherebetween. Attractive force may act between the second magnet 2820and the third magnet 2830.

The reason for this is because the roller 2400 and the housing 2200 areinjection-molded plastic products, which are permeable to magnetic fieldlines. As a result, the second magnet 2820 is capable of preventingtilting of the bobbin 2700. Accordingly, the second magnet 2820 may bereferred to as a “first tilting magnet”. Furthermore, the second magnet2820 may bring the roller 2400 into contact with the bobbin 2700. Inother words, the contact between the third contact 2740 of the bobbin2700 and the roller 2400 and the contact between the fourth contact 2750of the bobbin 2700 and the roller 2400 may be maintained by theattractive force acting between the second magnet 2820 and the thirdmagnet 2830.

The third magnet 2830 may be disposed at the housing 2200. The thirdmagnet 2830 may be disposed outside the second side wall 2240 of thehousing 2200. The third magnet 2830 may face the second magnet 2820 withthe roller 2400 and the second side wall 2240 of the housing 2200interposed therebetween. Attractive force may act between the thirdmagnet 2830 and the second magnet 2820. As a result, the third magnet2830 may prevent tilting of the bobbin 2700. Accordingly, the thirdmagnet 2830 may be referred to as a “second tilting magnet”.Furthermore, the third magnet 2830 may bring the roller 2400 intocontact with the bobbin 2700. In other words, the contact between thethird contact 740 of the bobbin 2700 and the roller 2400 may bemaintained by the attractive force acting between the third magnet 2830and the second magnet 2820.

In a first modification (not shown) of the lens moving apparatus 2000shown in FIG. 32, the third magnet 2830 may be a magnetic member. Here,the magnetic member may include magnetic metal. Similarly, sinceattractive force acts between the second magnet 2820 and the magneticmember, it is possible to perform the function performed by the secondmagnet 2820 and the third magnet 2830 shown in FIG. 32.

In a second modification (not shown) of the lens moving apparatus 2000shown in FIG. 32, the second magnet 2820 may be a magnetic member. Here,the magnetic member may include magnetic metal. Similarly, sinceattractive force acts between the third magnet 2830 and the magneticmember, it is possible to perform the function performed by the secondmagnet 2820 and the third magnet 2830 shown in FIG. 32. In the secondmodification, the third magnet 2830 may be referred to as “secondmagnet”.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a lens moving apparatus 3000 accordingto a further embodiment, from which a cover is removed.

Referring to FIG. 40, the lens moving apparatus 3000 may include a cover(not shown), a housing 3200, a coil 3300, a roller (not shown), a shieldmember 3500, a bobbin 3700 and a magnet (not shown), like the lensmoving apparatus 2000 shown in FIG. 32. The lens moving apparatus 2000shown in FIG. 32 may be similar to the lens moving apparatus 3000according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 40. In other words, thedescription regarding the housing 2200, the coil 2300, the roller 2400,the shield member 2500, the bobbin 2700 and the magnet 2800, which areshown in FIG. 32, may be applied to the housing 3200, the coil 3300, theroller (not shown), the shield member 3500, the bobbin 3700 and themagnet (not shown), which are shown in FIG. 40.

The lens moving apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 40is characterized by inclusion of a hall sensor 33900. The lens movingapparatus 3000 may further include a hall sensor substrate 3910.

Since the hall sensor 3900 may measure the position (or displacement) ofthe bobbin 3700 and provide feedback on the measured information so asto perform an AF function, thereby more accurately performing an AFfunction.

The hall sensor 3900 may be disposed in the space defined between afirst coil portion 3310, a second coil portion 3320, a third coilportion 3330 and a fourth coil portion 3340 of the coil 3300.

The hall sensor 3900 may be disposed between a first holder and a secondholder of the housing 3200. In other words, the hall sensor 3900 may bedisposed at the center of the coil 3300.

The hall sensor 3900 may measure the position of the bobbin 3700 bydetecting the magnetic force of the first magnet. The hall sensor 3900may be mounted on the hall sensor substrate 3910.

The hall sensor substrate 3910 may be disposed between the housing 3200and the cover. The hall sensor substrate 3910 may be disposed so as toface the coil 3300. The hall sensor substrate 3910 may be conductivelyconnected to the coil 3300. The hall sensor substrate 3910 may beconductively connected to the substrate 2030 of the camera module 2001.Consequently, the coil 1300 may receive current from the substrate 2030of the camera module 2001 via the hall sensor substrate 3910.

The measured position value of the bobbin 3700 may be transmitted to thesubstrate 2030 of the camera module 2001 via the hall sensor substrate3910. The controller of the camera module 2001 may control the currentapplied to the coil 3300 according to the measured position value of thebobbin 3700.

In the lens moving apparatus 3000, the terminal 2600 of the lens movingapparatus 2000 shown in FIG. 32 may be omitted. Instead, a magnetic body3600 may be additionally provided. The magnetic body 3600, which has aplate shape, may be disposed between the second coil portion 3320 andthe second connector. Attractive force may act between the magnetic body3600 and the first magnet, thereby preventing tilting of the bobbin3700.

An optical device according to an embodiment may include a body (notshown), a display unit (not shown) disposed on one surface of the bodyfor displaying information, and a camera module (not shown) for takingan image or a photograph, the camera module being disposed inside thebody and conductively connected to the display unit.

Hereinafter, the construction of a camera module 2001 according to anembodiment will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cameramodule 2001 according to the embodiment based on the view of FIG. 33.The camera module 2001 may include a lens moving apparatus 3000, a lensmodule 2010, an infrared-blocking filter 2020, a substrate 2030, animage sensor 2040 and a controller (not shown).

The lens module 2010 may include a lens and a lens barrel. The lensmodule 2010 may include one or more lenses (not shown) and a lens barrelaccommodating the one or more lenses. The lens module 2010 does notnecessarily include the lens barrel as one component thereof, and anyholder structure is possible as long as it is capable of supporting theone or more lenses.

The lens module 2010 may be coupled to the lens moving apparatus 3000and may be moved therewith. For example, the lens module 2010 may becoupled to the lens moving apparatus 3000. For example, the lens module2010 may be coupled to the lens moving apparatus 3000 in a threadedengagement manner.

For example, the lens module 2010 may be coupled to the lens movingapparatus 3000 using an adhesive (not shown). The light, having passedthrough the lens module 2010, may be radiated to the image sensor 2040.

The infrared-blocking filter 2020 may be capable of preventing light inan infrared region from entering the image sensor 2040. For example, theinfrared-blocking filter 2020 may be positioned between the lens module2010 and the image sensor 2040.

The infrared-blocking filter 2020 may be positioned at a holder member(not shown), which is provided separately from the housing 2200.Alternatively, the infrared-blocking filter 2020 may be mounted in thehole B-1 formed in the central area of the base B of the housing 2200.

The infrared-blocking filter 2020 may be made of, for example, a filmmaterial or a glass material. For example, the infrared-blocking filter2020 may be manufactured by coating a plate-shaped optical filter, suchas cover glass for protecting an image area, with an infrared-screeningmaterial.

The substrate 2030 may be a PCB (printed circuit board). The substrate2030 may support the lens moving apparatus 3000. The image sensor 20 maybe mounted on the substrate 2030. For example, the image sensor may bepositioned in the inside area of the upper surface of the substrate, anda sensor holder (not shown) may be positioned in the outside area of theupper surface of the substrate.

The lens moving apparatus 3000 may be positioned above the sensorholder. Alternatively, the image sensor 2040 may be positioned in theinside area of the upper surface of the substrate 2030, and the imagesensor 2040 may be positioned in the inside area of the upper surface ofthe substrate 2030. By virtue of this configuration, the light that haspassed through the lens module 2010 accommodated in the lens movingapparatus 3000, may be radiated to the image sensor 2040 mounted on thesubstrate 2030.

The substrate 2030 may supply power to the lens moving apparatus 3000.The substrate 2030 may be conductively connected to the display unit.The controller for controlling the lens moving apparatus 3000 may bepositioned at the substrate 2030.

The image sensor 2040 may be mounted on the substrate 2030. The imagesensor 2040 may be positioned such that the optical axis thereof isaligned with the lens module 2010. Consequently, the image sensor 2040may receive the light that has passed through the lens module 2010. Theimage sensor 2040 may output the radiated light as an image. The imagesensor 2040 may be, for example, a CCD (charge coupled device), an MOS(metal oxide semiconductor), a CPD or a CID. However, the type of theimage sensor 2040 is not limited thereto.

The controller may be mounted on the substrate 2030. The controller maybe positioned outside the lens moving apparatus 3000. Alternatively, thecontroller may also be positioned inside the lens moving apparatus 3000.The controller may control the direction, the intensity, the amplitudeor the like of the current supplied to each of the componentsconstituting the lens moving apparatus 3000. The controller may controlthe lens moving apparatus 3000 to perform an autofocusing function. Inother words, the controller may control the lens moving apparatus 3000to move the lens module 2010 in the optical-axis direction.

FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a camera module 200according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 42, the camera module 200 may include a lens or a lensbarrel 400, the lens moving apparatus 100, an adhesive member 612, afilter 610, a first holder 600, a second holder 800, an image sensor810, a motion sensor 820, a controller 830, and a connector 840. Acamera module according to another embodiment may include the lensmoving apparatus 1100 or 2000 according to other embodiments, in placeof the lens moving apparatus 100.

The lens or the lens barrel 400 may be mounted in the bobbin 110 of thelens moving apparatus 100.

The first holder 600 may be disposed under the base 210 of the lensmoving apparatus 100. The filter 610 may be mounted on the first holder600, and the first holder 600 may have a raised portion 500 on which thefilter 610 is seated.

The adhesive member 612 may couple or attach the base 210 of the lensmoving apparatus 100 to the first holder 600. The adhesive member 612may be, for example, epoxy, thermohardening adhesive, or ultraviolethardening adhesive.

The filter 610 may serve to prevent light within a specific frequencyband that passes through the lens barrel 400 from being introduced intothe image sensor 810. The filter 610 may be, for example, aninfrared-light-blocking filter, without being limited thereto. Here, thefilter 610 may be oriented parallel to the X-Y plane.

The region of the first holder 600 in which the filter 610 is mountedmay have formed therein an opening in order to allow the light thatpasses through the filter 610 to be introduced into the image sensor810.

The second holder 800 may be disposed under the first holder 600, andthe image sensor 810 may be mounted on the second holder 600. The imagesensor 810 may be an area on which an image included in the light thatpasses through the filter 610 and that is introduced thereinto isformed.

The second holder 800 may include, for example, various circuits,devices, and a controller in order to convert the image, formed on theimage sensor 810, into electrical signals and to transmit the electricalsignals to an external component. The second holder 800 may be embodiedas a circuit board, on which the image sensor 810 may be mounted, onwhich a circuit pattern may be formed, and to which various devices maybe coupled.

The image sensor 810 may receive an image contained in the lightintroduced through the lens moving apparatus 100, 1100, 2100 and mayconvert the received image into electrical signals.

The filter 610 and the image sensor 810 may be spaced apart from eachother so as to be opposite each other in the first direction.

The motion sensor 820 may be mounted on the second holder 800, and maybe conductively connected to the controller 830 through the circuitpattern formed on the second holder 800.

The motion sensor 820 may output information about a rotational angularspeed caused by motion. The motion sensor 820 may be embodied as adual-axis or triple-axis gyro sensor or an angular speed sensor.

The controller 830 may be mounted on the second holder 800. The secondholder 800 may be conductively connected to the lens moving apparatus100. For example, the second holder 800 may be conductively connected tothe coil 120 of the lens moving apparatus 100, and may provide a drivesignal to the coil 120.

The connector 840 may be conductively connected to the second holder800, and may be have a port that is intended to be conductivelyconnected to an external device.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view illustrating a portable terminal 200Aaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 43 is a view illustrating theconfiguration of the portable terminal 200A illustrated in FIG. 35.

Referring to FIGS. 43 and 44, the portable terminal 200A (hereinafterreferred to as a “terminal”) may include a body 850, a wirelesscommunication unit 710, an audio/video (A/V) input unit 720, a sensingunit 740, an input/output unit 750, a memory unit 760, an interface unit770, a controller 780, and a power supply unit 790.

The body 850 illustrated in FIG. 43 has a bar shape, without beinglimited thereto, and may be any of various types, such as, for example,a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, or a swivel type, in whichtwo or more sub-bodies are coupled so as to be movable relative to eachother.

The body 850 may include a case (e.g. casing, housing, or cover)defining the external appearance of the terminal. For example, the body850 may be divided into a front case 851 and a rear case 852. Variouselectronic components of the terminal may be accommodated in the spacedefined between the front case 851 and the rear case 852.

The wireless communication unit 710 may include one or more modules,which enable wireless communication between the terminal 200A and awireless communication system or between the terminal 200A and a networkin which the terminal 200A is located. For example, the wirelesscommunication unit 710 may include a broadcast-receiving module 711, amobile communication module 712, a wireless Internet module 713, anearfield communication module 714, and a location information module715.

The A/V input unit 720 serves to input audio signals or video signals,and may include, for example, a camera 721 and a microphone 722.

The camera 721 may be the camera 200 including the camera module 200according to the embodiment.

The sensing unit 740 may sense the current state of the terminal 200A,such as, for example, the opening or closing of the terminal 200A, thelocation of the terminal 200A, the presence of a user's touch, theorientation of the terminal 200A, or the acceleration/deceleration ofthe terminal 200A, and may generate a sensing signal to control theoperation of the terminal 200A. When the terminal 200A is, for example,a slide-type cellular phone, the sensing unit 740 may sense whether theslide-type cellular phone is opened or closed. Furthermore, the sensingunit 740 may sense the supply of power from the power supply unit 790,coupling of the interface unit 770 to an external device and the like.

The input/output unit 750 serves to generate, for example, visual,audible, or tactile input or output. The input/output unit 750 maygenerate input data to control the operation of the terminal 200A, andmay display information processed in the terminal 200A.

The input/output unit 750 may include a keypad unit 730, a displaymodule 751, a sound output module 752, and a touchscreen panel 753. Thekeypad unit 730 may generate input data in response to input on akeypad.

The display module 751 may include a plurality of pixels, the color ofwhich varies in response to electrical signals applied thereto. Forexample, the display module 751 may include at least one among a liquidcrystal display, a thin-film-transistor-liquid crystal display, anorganic light-emitting diode, a flexible display and a 3D display.

The sound output module 752 may output audio data received from thewireless communication unit 710 in, for example, a call-signal receptionmode, a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or abroadcast reception mode, or may output audio data stored in the memoryunit 760.

The touchscreen panel 753 may convert variation in capacitance, causedby a user's touch on a specific region of a touchscreen, into electricalinput signals.

The memory unit 760 may temporarily store programs for the processingand control of the controller 780, and input/output data (for example,telephone numbers, messages, audio data, stationary images, movingimages and the like). For example, the memory unit 760 may store imagescaptured by the camera 721, for example, pictures or moving images.

The interface unit 770 serves as a path through which the lens movingapparatus is connected to an external device connected to the terminal200A. The interface unit 770 may receive power or data from the externalcomponent, and may transmit the same to respective constituent elementsinside the terminal 200A, or may transmit data inside the terminal 200Ato the external component. For example, the interface unit 770 mayinclude a wired/wireless headset port, an external charger port, awired/wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connection to adevice equipped with an identification module, an audio input/output(I/O) port, a video input/output (I/O) port, an earphone port and thelike.

The controller 780 may control the general operation of the terminal200A. For example, the controller 780 may perform control and processingrelated to, for example, voice calls, data communication, and videocalls.

The controller 780 may include a multimedia module 781 for multimediaplayback. The multimedia module 781 may be embodied in the controller780 or may be embodied separately from the controller 780.

The controller 780 may perform a pattern recognition process capable ofrecognizing writing input or drawing input carried out on a touch screenas a character and an image, respectively.

The power supply unit 790 may supply power required to operate therespective constituent elements upon receiving external power orinternal power under the control of the controller 780.

The features, configurations, effects and the like described above inthe embodiments are included in at least one embodiment, but theinvention is not limited only to the embodiments. In addition, thefeatures, configurations, effects and the like exemplified in therespective embodiments may be combined with other embodiments ormodified by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, content related tothese combinations and modifications should be construed as fallingwithin the scope of the embodiments.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The embodiments are applicable to a lens moving apparatus capable ofimproving the speed of AF operation, of suppressing movement of a bobbinduring AF operation and of increasing the range of possible sizes ofmagnet and a coil, and a camera module and an optical device eachincluding the same.

1. A lens moving apparatus comprising: a base comprising a body and afirst post, a second post, a third post and a fourth post disposed atcorner portions of the body; a bobbin disposed on the body; a firstroller unit disposed in a first groove formed in the first post; asecond roller unit disposed in a second groove formed in the second postadjacent to the first post; a magnet disposed at the bobbin; and a coildisposed between the first post and the second post so as to correspondto the magnet, wherein the first groove comprises a first opening,through which a portion of the first roller unit is exposed, and whereinthe second groove comprise a second opening, through which a portion ofthe second roller unit is exposed, and wherein the bobbin comprises: afirst support disposed in the first opening so as to be in contact withthe first roller; and a second support disposed in the second opening soas to be in contact with the second roller.
 2. The lens moving apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the first support projects from an outersurface of the bobbin, and the second support projects from the outersurface of the bobbin.
 3. The lens moving apparatus according to claim1, wherein the first roller unit is in contact with four regions of thefirst groove and the second roller unit is in contact with four regionsof the second groove.
 4. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: a circuit board, which is secured to the base and towhich the coil is coupled, the circuit board being secured to the firstpost and the second post.
 5. The lens moving apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein the circuit board comprises a terminal conductivelyconnected to the coil, the terminal comprising a first terminal and asecond terminal and being disposed at the body.
 6. The lens movingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a magnetic bodydisposed at the base under the coil so as to generate attractive forcein cooperation with the magnet.
 7. The lens moving apparatus accordingto claim 6, wherein the magnetic body is disposed on an outer surface ofthe base.
 8. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 7, wherein themagnetic body comprises: a plate disposed on an outer surface of thebody of the base; a first extension disposed on an outer surface of thefirst post and extending upwards from the plate; and a second extensiondisposed on an outer surface of the second post and extending upwardsfrom the plate.
 9. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1,wherein each of the first roller unit and the second roller unitcomprises a plurality of rollers, each of the plurality of rollershaving a cylindrical shape.
 10. The lens moving apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein each of the first roller unit and the second rollerunit is disposed so as to be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to anoptical axis.
 11. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the first groove comprises a first side surface, and a secondside surface opposite to the first side surface, and the first openingis formed at the first side surface, and wherein the second groovecomprises a third side surface, and a fourth side surface opposite tothe third side surface, and the second opening is formed at the thirdside surface.
 12. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the bobbin comprises first to fourth projections disposed at theside surface thereof, wherein the magnet is disposed in a mountingrecess formed in the first projection, and wherein the first projectionis disposed between the first post and the second post, and the secondprojection is disposed between the second post and the third post, andthe third projection is disposed between the third post and the fourthpost and the fourth projection is disposed between the fourth post andthe first post.
 13. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1,comprising a lubricant disposed in the first groove and the secondgroove, wherein the lubricant is in contact with the first groove andthe first roller unit, and wherein the lubricant is in contact with thesecond groove and the second roller unit.
 14. The lens moving apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a cover member coupled to thebase and comprising a top plate and side plates, wherein the covermember comprises: a first protrusion projecting from an inner surface ofthe top plate and disposed in the first groove; and a second protrusionand projecting from the inner surface of the top plate and disposed inthe second groove.
 15. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 11,wherein the base comprises: a first guide groove formed in the secondside surface of the first groove for injecting lubricant into the firstgroove; and a second guide groove formed in the fourth side surface ofthe second groove for injecting lubricant into the second groove. 16.The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of adiameter and a longitudinal length of each of the plurality of rollersis 1:1.5˜1:5.
 17. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the first roller unit is disposed so as to be inclined at afirst angle with respect to a first reference line, and wherein thesecond roller unit is disposed so as to be inclined at a second anglewith respect to the first reference line, and wherein the firstreference line is an imaginary line parallel to a direction toward thesecond post from the first post, and the first angle is different fromthe second angle.
 18. The lens moving apparatus according to claim 17,wherein each of the first and second angles is 30°˜60°.
 19. A lensmoving apparatus comprising: a base comprising a body, and a first postand a second post adjacent to the first post, the first and second postsbeing respectively disposed at corners of the body; a bobbin disposed onthe body; a first roller unit disposed in a first groove formed in thefirst post; a second roller unit disposed in a second groove formed inthe second post; a magnet disposed at the bobbin; a substrate secured tothe base; a coil coupled to the substrate so as to face the magnet; anda magnetic body disposed at the base under the coil so as to generateattractive force in cooperation with the magnet, wherein the firstroller unit is in contact with the first post and the bobbin, and thesecond roller unit is in contact with the second post and the bobbin.20. A camera module comprising: a lens; a lens moving apparatusaccording to claim 1; and an image sensor.